ATI Pediatric Nursing Test Bank Exam Verified
Questions, Correct Answers, and Detailed
Explanations for Students||Already Graded
A+
1. A 4-year-old child is admitted with dehydration. Which assessment finding
is most indicative of severe dehydration?
A. Dry lips
B. Tachycardia
C. Sunken fontanelle
D. Capillary refill of 2 seconds
Answer: C. Sunken fontanelle
Rationale: Sunken fontanelles in infants and toddlers indicate significant fluid
loss. Dry lips and tachycardia may also be present but are less specific. Normal
capillary refill (<2 sec) does not indicate severe dehydration.
2. Which of the following is the most appropriate toy for a 6-month-old
infant?
A. Stuffed animal
B. Rattles
C. Board games
D. Coloring books
Answer: B. Rattles
Rationale: At 6 months, infants explore with hands and mouths. Rattles provide
sensory stimulation and are developmentally appropriate. Stuffed animals are
suitable but may pose a suffocation risk. Board games and coloring books are
for older children.
3. A nurse is teaching a parent about signs of respiratory distress in a 3-year-
old child. Which should the nurse include?
,A. Retractions
B. Fever
C. Vomiting
D. Sleepiness
Answer: A. Retractions
Rationale: Retractions, nasal flaring, and grunting are key indicators of
respiratory distress. Fever may indicate infection but not necessarily distress.
Vomiting and sleepiness are nonspecific.
4. A 2-year-old toddler refuses to take oral medication. What is the best
nursing intervention?
A. Mix the medication with a large amount of juice
B. Offer the medication with a favorite food
C. Use a syringe to place medication in the side of the mouth
D. Administer the medication intramuscularly
Answer: C. Use a syringe to place medication in the side of the mouth
Rationale: Using a syringe at the side of the mouth reduces the chance of
spitting out medication. Mixing with large amounts of juice or food may alter
absorption or taste. IM administration should be a last resort.
5. A 7-year-old is scheduled for tonsillectomy. Which preoperative teaching is
most appropriate?
A. Child will be on bed rest for 1 week
B. Child will need frequent throat suctioning
C. Child may have a sore throat and mild ear pain postoperatively
D. Child will not be allowed to eat for 24 hours after surgery
Answer: C. Child may have a sore throat and mild ear pain postoperatively
Rationale: Mild throat and ear pain are common after tonsillectomy. Bed rest
and prolonged NPO status are unnecessary. Suctioning is not routinely
required.
6. Which immunization is contraindicated for a 1-year-old with a severe
allergy to yeast?
, A. MMR
B. Hepatitis B
C. Varicella
D. Hepatitis A
Answer: B. Hepatitis B
Rationale: Hepatitis B vaccine contains yeast and is contraindicated in children
with severe yeast allergy. MMR and varicella do not contain yeast.
7. The nurse is assessing a 9-month-old infant’s developmental milestones.
Which finding is expected?
A. Can sit without support
B. Can walk independently
C. Can draw a circle
D. Can hop on one foot
Answer: A. Can sit without support
Rationale: By 9 months, infants typically sit without support. Walking, drawing,
and hopping occur later.
8. Which intervention is most important for a child with acute epiglottitis?
A. Encourage coughing
B. Place child supine
C. Keep airway equipment at bedside
D. Provide oral fluids
Answer: C. Keep airway equipment at bedside
Rationale: Epiglottitis can lead to sudden airway obstruction. The priority is
readiness for airway management. Coughing or supine position can worsen
obstruction; oral fluids may be unsafe.
9. A child with cystic fibrosis has thick secretions. Which intervention
promotes airway clearance?
A. Encourage bed rest
B. Chest physiotherapy
Questions, Correct Answers, and Detailed
Explanations for Students||Already Graded
A+
1. A 4-year-old child is admitted with dehydration. Which assessment finding
is most indicative of severe dehydration?
A. Dry lips
B. Tachycardia
C. Sunken fontanelle
D. Capillary refill of 2 seconds
Answer: C. Sunken fontanelle
Rationale: Sunken fontanelles in infants and toddlers indicate significant fluid
loss. Dry lips and tachycardia may also be present but are less specific. Normal
capillary refill (<2 sec) does not indicate severe dehydration.
2. Which of the following is the most appropriate toy for a 6-month-old
infant?
A. Stuffed animal
B. Rattles
C. Board games
D. Coloring books
Answer: B. Rattles
Rationale: At 6 months, infants explore with hands and mouths. Rattles provide
sensory stimulation and are developmentally appropriate. Stuffed animals are
suitable but may pose a suffocation risk. Board games and coloring books are
for older children.
3. A nurse is teaching a parent about signs of respiratory distress in a 3-year-
old child. Which should the nurse include?
,A. Retractions
B. Fever
C. Vomiting
D. Sleepiness
Answer: A. Retractions
Rationale: Retractions, nasal flaring, and grunting are key indicators of
respiratory distress. Fever may indicate infection but not necessarily distress.
Vomiting and sleepiness are nonspecific.
4. A 2-year-old toddler refuses to take oral medication. What is the best
nursing intervention?
A. Mix the medication with a large amount of juice
B. Offer the medication with a favorite food
C. Use a syringe to place medication in the side of the mouth
D. Administer the medication intramuscularly
Answer: C. Use a syringe to place medication in the side of the mouth
Rationale: Using a syringe at the side of the mouth reduces the chance of
spitting out medication. Mixing with large amounts of juice or food may alter
absorption or taste. IM administration should be a last resort.
5. A 7-year-old is scheduled for tonsillectomy. Which preoperative teaching is
most appropriate?
A. Child will be on bed rest for 1 week
B. Child will need frequent throat suctioning
C. Child may have a sore throat and mild ear pain postoperatively
D. Child will not be allowed to eat for 24 hours after surgery
Answer: C. Child may have a sore throat and mild ear pain postoperatively
Rationale: Mild throat and ear pain are common after tonsillectomy. Bed rest
and prolonged NPO status are unnecessary. Suctioning is not routinely
required.
6. Which immunization is contraindicated for a 1-year-old with a severe
allergy to yeast?
, A. MMR
B. Hepatitis B
C. Varicella
D. Hepatitis A
Answer: B. Hepatitis B
Rationale: Hepatitis B vaccine contains yeast and is contraindicated in children
with severe yeast allergy. MMR and varicella do not contain yeast.
7. The nurse is assessing a 9-month-old infant’s developmental milestones.
Which finding is expected?
A. Can sit without support
B. Can walk independently
C. Can draw a circle
D. Can hop on one foot
Answer: A. Can sit without support
Rationale: By 9 months, infants typically sit without support. Walking, drawing,
and hopping occur later.
8. Which intervention is most important for a child with acute epiglottitis?
A. Encourage coughing
B. Place child supine
C. Keep airway equipment at bedside
D. Provide oral fluids
Answer: C. Keep airway equipment at bedside
Rationale: Epiglottitis can lead to sudden airway obstruction. The priority is
readiness for airway management. Coughing or supine position can worsen
obstruction; oral fluids may be unsafe.
9. A child with cystic fibrosis has thick secretions. Which intervention
promotes airway clearance?
A. Encourage bed rest
B. Chest physiotherapy
