PEDS EXAM SCRIPT 2026 UPDATED SOLVED
QUESTIONS GRADED A+
◉ A nurse in the pediatric clinic is assessing an 8-year-old child who has
had asthma since infancy. What clinical finding requires immediate
intervention?
1
Barrel chest
2
Audible wheezing
3
Heart rate of 105 beats/min
4
Respiratory rate of 30 breaths/min. Answer: Audible wheezing that is
heard without a stethoscope is an indication that the airways are
significantly compromised, and this requires immediate medical
intervention. Barrel chest is a sign of chronic asthma. Repeated attacks
result in a fixed hyperaerated thoracic cavity; this clinical finding does
not require intervention. A heart rate of 105 beats/min is expected in an
8-year-old child, as is a respiratory rate of 30 breaths/min.
Test-Taking Tip: Anxiety leading to an exam is normal. Reduce your
stress by studying often, not long. Spend at least 15 minutes every day
,reviewing the "old" material. This action alone will greatly reduce
anxiety. The more time you devote to reviewing past material, the more
confident you will feel about your knowledge of the topics. Start this
review process on the first day of the semester. Don't wait until the
middle to end of the semester to try to cram information.
◉ A 5-year-old child is admitted to the pediatric unit for an
appendectomy. What question should the nurse ask to determine what
the child thinks is the reason for hospitalization?
1
"What are you doing at the hospital?"
2
"Have you brought any toys with you?"
Incorrect 3
"Did your parents tell you why you're here?"
4
"Did you know that you're going to have an operation?". Answer: The
first option is a direct question that should elicit the desired information.
The other questions can be answered with a yes-or-no response and do
not elicit what the child knows or feels about the situation.
STUDY TIP: When forming a study group, carefully select members for
your group. Choose students who have abilities and motivation similar
to your own. Look for students who have a different learning style than
,you. Exchange names, email addresses, and phone numbers. Plan a
schedule for when and how often you will meet. Plan an agenda for each
meeting. You may exchange lecture notes and discuss content for clarity
or quiz one another on the material. You could also create your own
practice tests or make flash cards that review key vocabulary terms.
◉ A 6-year-old child with acute spasmodic bronchitis who is receiving
humidified air removes the mask, and while bathing the child the nurse
notes increasing respiratory distress. What is the most appropriate
nursing intervention?
Correct 1
Stopping the bath and replacing the mask
2
Performing postural drainage and clapping the chest
3
Placing the child in the orthopneic position and calling the practitioner
4
Suctioning the child's nasal passages and waiting for the dyspnea to
subside. Answer: Interrupting the bath and providing humidified air will
reduce energy requirements, allow the child to rest, and lessen the
demand for oxygen. Although postural drainage loosens secretions in the
lungs, it should not be used when the child is in distress. The orthopneic
position will not reduce energy and oxygen demands; the healthcare
provider should be called if appropriate nursing measures do not relieve
the dyspnea. Suctioning is not performed unless respiratory distress is
severe; it increases restlessness and energy demands.
, Test-Taking Tip: Prepare for exams when and where you are most alert
and able to concentrate. If you are most alert at night, study at night. If
you are most alert at 2 am, study in the early morning hours. Study
where you can focus your attention and avoid distractions. This may be
in the library or in a quiet corner of your home. The key point is to keep
on doing what is working for you. If you are distracted or falling asleep,
you may want to change when and where you are studying.
◉ A nurse is teaching a school-aged child with juvenile idiopathic
arthritis (JIA) activities to prevent the loss of joint function. What should
the nurse caution the child to avoid?
1
Bicycle riding
2
Walking to school
3
Isometric exercises
4
Sedentary activities. Answer: Prolonged sitting in one position can lead
to stiffness and flexion contractures and should be avoided. Riding a
bicycle helps maintain joint mobility, which is advantageous. Walking
promotes functional movement and is beneficial. Isometric exercises are
beneficial because they help maintain muscle tone.
QUESTIONS GRADED A+
◉ A nurse in the pediatric clinic is assessing an 8-year-old child who has
had asthma since infancy. What clinical finding requires immediate
intervention?
1
Barrel chest
2
Audible wheezing
3
Heart rate of 105 beats/min
4
Respiratory rate of 30 breaths/min. Answer: Audible wheezing that is
heard without a stethoscope is an indication that the airways are
significantly compromised, and this requires immediate medical
intervention. Barrel chest is a sign of chronic asthma. Repeated attacks
result in a fixed hyperaerated thoracic cavity; this clinical finding does
not require intervention. A heart rate of 105 beats/min is expected in an
8-year-old child, as is a respiratory rate of 30 breaths/min.
Test-Taking Tip: Anxiety leading to an exam is normal. Reduce your
stress by studying often, not long. Spend at least 15 minutes every day
,reviewing the "old" material. This action alone will greatly reduce
anxiety. The more time you devote to reviewing past material, the more
confident you will feel about your knowledge of the topics. Start this
review process on the first day of the semester. Don't wait until the
middle to end of the semester to try to cram information.
◉ A 5-year-old child is admitted to the pediatric unit for an
appendectomy. What question should the nurse ask to determine what
the child thinks is the reason for hospitalization?
1
"What are you doing at the hospital?"
2
"Have you brought any toys with you?"
Incorrect 3
"Did your parents tell you why you're here?"
4
"Did you know that you're going to have an operation?". Answer: The
first option is a direct question that should elicit the desired information.
The other questions can be answered with a yes-or-no response and do
not elicit what the child knows or feels about the situation.
STUDY TIP: When forming a study group, carefully select members for
your group. Choose students who have abilities and motivation similar
to your own. Look for students who have a different learning style than
,you. Exchange names, email addresses, and phone numbers. Plan a
schedule for when and how often you will meet. Plan an agenda for each
meeting. You may exchange lecture notes and discuss content for clarity
or quiz one another on the material. You could also create your own
practice tests or make flash cards that review key vocabulary terms.
◉ A 6-year-old child with acute spasmodic bronchitis who is receiving
humidified air removes the mask, and while bathing the child the nurse
notes increasing respiratory distress. What is the most appropriate
nursing intervention?
Correct 1
Stopping the bath and replacing the mask
2
Performing postural drainage and clapping the chest
3
Placing the child in the orthopneic position and calling the practitioner
4
Suctioning the child's nasal passages and waiting for the dyspnea to
subside. Answer: Interrupting the bath and providing humidified air will
reduce energy requirements, allow the child to rest, and lessen the
demand for oxygen. Although postural drainage loosens secretions in the
lungs, it should not be used when the child is in distress. The orthopneic
position will not reduce energy and oxygen demands; the healthcare
provider should be called if appropriate nursing measures do not relieve
the dyspnea. Suctioning is not performed unless respiratory distress is
severe; it increases restlessness and energy demands.
, Test-Taking Tip: Prepare for exams when and where you are most alert
and able to concentrate. If you are most alert at night, study at night. If
you are most alert at 2 am, study in the early morning hours. Study
where you can focus your attention and avoid distractions. This may be
in the library or in a quiet corner of your home. The key point is to keep
on doing what is working for you. If you are distracted or falling asleep,
you may want to change when and where you are studying.
◉ A nurse is teaching a school-aged child with juvenile idiopathic
arthritis (JIA) activities to prevent the loss of joint function. What should
the nurse caution the child to avoid?
1
Bicycle riding
2
Walking to school
3
Isometric exercises
4
Sedentary activities. Answer: Prolonged sitting in one position can lead
to stiffness and flexion contractures and should be avoided. Riding a
bicycle helps maintain joint mobility, which is advantageous. Walking
promotes functional movement and is beneficial. Isometric exercises are
beneficial because they help maintain muscle tone.
