Certified Pediatric Nurse Knowledge test Exam Toolkit
Questions and Verified solution 2026/2027
An 18-month-old child, immobilized with traction to the legs, has a nursing diagnosis of
diversional activity deficit related to immobility. The nurse should include playing with
which diversional activity in the plan of care?
a. Tinkertoys
b. A pounding board
c. A pull toy
d. Board games - correct answer b. A pounding board
A parent calls the clinic to express concern over her child's eating habits. She says the
child eats very little and consumes only a single type of food for weeks on end. The
nurse knows that this behavior is characteristic of children ages:
a. 2-4 years
b. 5-8 years
c. 9-12 years
d. 13-17 years - correct answer a. 2-4 years
When assessing a toddler's growth and development, the nurse understands that a
child in this age group displays behavior that fosters which developmental task?
a. Initiative
b. Autonomy
c. Trust
d. Industry - correct answer b. Autonomy
A school age child with a chronic condition is hospitalized for the fourth time this year.
What would be the most appropriate strategy related to contact with the school?
a. Have her mother go to the school to get her missed homework
b. Have the school nurse come to visit
,c. Make arrangements for the child to be homeschooled so that she does not fall behind
in her studies
d. Have her classmates send her letters wishing her a good recovery - correct answer
d. Have her classmates send her letters wishing her a good recovery
A child, age 5, is brought to the pediatrician's office for a routine visit. When inspecting
the child's mouth, the nurse expects to find how many teeth?
a. Up to 10
b. Up to 15
c. Up to 20
d. Up to 32 - correct answer c. Up to 20
The nurse should expect a 3-year-old child to be able to perform which action?
a. Roller-skate
b. Tie shoe laces
c. Ride a tricycle
d. Jump rope - correct answer c. Ride a tricycle
When performing a physical assessment on a girl, age 10, the nurse keeps in mind that
the first sign of sexual maturity in girls is...
a. Axillary hair
b. Pubic hair
c. Breast bud development
d. Menarche - correct answer c. Breast bud development
The nurse suspects that a child, age 4, is being neglected physically. To best assess the
child's nutritional status, the nurse should start by asking the parents which of the
following questions?
a. "Has your child always been so thin?"
b. "Is your child a picky eater?"
, c. "What did your child eat for breakfast today?"
d. "Do you have difficulty buying nutritious food at the
supermarket? - correct answer c. "What did your child eat for breakfast today?"
A 2-year-old who is chronically ill is being admitted to the inpatient unit for pain control.
Her mother tells you that she feels guilty leaving her in the hospital because she cries
so much. As the nurse caring for this child, the most appropriate explanation to the
mother would be...
a. The child will stop crying as soon as you leave
b. Crying is a sign of attachment, but you need time for yourself too
c. It's always hard to leave your child, but once you do you will feel
much better
d. She is crying because she is uncomfortable, not because you are leaving - correct
answer b. Crying is a sign of attachment, but you need time for yourself too
A mother of a 3 ½-year-old cannot stay in the hospital with her child today. The nurse
suggests the mother do which of the following:
a. The mother visit at the same time daily for the same amount of time
b. The mother explains that she'll be right back
c. The mother leave while the child is distracted or sleeping
d. The mother leaves one of her possessions behind for the child - correct answer d.
The mother leaves one of her possessions behind for the child
An emergency room nurse is caring for an 3 year old child who presents with irritability,
fever, sore throat, drooling, painful swallowing and refusal to talk. Which of the following
is an appropriate intervention?
1. Start IV antibiotics immediately
2. Assess the throat for tonsillar swelling and exudate
3. Defer inspecting the throat until staff and equipment present for emergency
tracheotomy
4. Tell parents to use cool mist humidifier - correct answer 3. Defer inspecting the
throat until staff and equipment present for emergency tracheotomy
Questions and Verified solution 2026/2027
An 18-month-old child, immobilized with traction to the legs, has a nursing diagnosis of
diversional activity deficit related to immobility. The nurse should include playing with
which diversional activity in the plan of care?
a. Tinkertoys
b. A pounding board
c. A pull toy
d. Board games - correct answer b. A pounding board
A parent calls the clinic to express concern over her child's eating habits. She says the
child eats very little and consumes only a single type of food for weeks on end. The
nurse knows that this behavior is characteristic of children ages:
a. 2-4 years
b. 5-8 years
c. 9-12 years
d. 13-17 years - correct answer a. 2-4 years
When assessing a toddler's growth and development, the nurse understands that a
child in this age group displays behavior that fosters which developmental task?
a. Initiative
b. Autonomy
c. Trust
d. Industry - correct answer b. Autonomy
A school age child with a chronic condition is hospitalized for the fourth time this year.
What would be the most appropriate strategy related to contact with the school?
a. Have her mother go to the school to get her missed homework
b. Have the school nurse come to visit
,c. Make arrangements for the child to be homeschooled so that she does not fall behind
in her studies
d. Have her classmates send her letters wishing her a good recovery - correct answer
d. Have her classmates send her letters wishing her a good recovery
A child, age 5, is brought to the pediatrician's office for a routine visit. When inspecting
the child's mouth, the nurse expects to find how many teeth?
a. Up to 10
b. Up to 15
c. Up to 20
d. Up to 32 - correct answer c. Up to 20
The nurse should expect a 3-year-old child to be able to perform which action?
a. Roller-skate
b. Tie shoe laces
c. Ride a tricycle
d. Jump rope - correct answer c. Ride a tricycle
When performing a physical assessment on a girl, age 10, the nurse keeps in mind that
the first sign of sexual maturity in girls is...
a. Axillary hair
b. Pubic hair
c. Breast bud development
d. Menarche - correct answer c. Breast bud development
The nurse suspects that a child, age 4, is being neglected physically. To best assess the
child's nutritional status, the nurse should start by asking the parents which of the
following questions?
a. "Has your child always been so thin?"
b. "Is your child a picky eater?"
, c. "What did your child eat for breakfast today?"
d. "Do you have difficulty buying nutritious food at the
supermarket? - correct answer c. "What did your child eat for breakfast today?"
A 2-year-old who is chronically ill is being admitted to the inpatient unit for pain control.
Her mother tells you that she feels guilty leaving her in the hospital because she cries
so much. As the nurse caring for this child, the most appropriate explanation to the
mother would be...
a. The child will stop crying as soon as you leave
b. Crying is a sign of attachment, but you need time for yourself too
c. It's always hard to leave your child, but once you do you will feel
much better
d. She is crying because she is uncomfortable, not because you are leaving - correct
answer b. Crying is a sign of attachment, but you need time for yourself too
A mother of a 3 ½-year-old cannot stay in the hospital with her child today. The nurse
suggests the mother do which of the following:
a. The mother visit at the same time daily for the same amount of time
b. The mother explains that she'll be right back
c. The mother leave while the child is distracted or sleeping
d. The mother leaves one of her possessions behind for the child - correct answer d.
The mother leaves one of her possessions behind for the child
An emergency room nurse is caring for an 3 year old child who presents with irritability,
fever, sore throat, drooling, painful swallowing and refusal to talk. Which of the following
is an appropriate intervention?
1. Start IV antibiotics immediately
2. Assess the throat for tonsillar swelling and exudate
3. Defer inspecting the throat until staff and equipment present for emergency
tracheotomy
4. Tell parents to use cool mist humidifier - correct answer 3. Defer inspecting the
throat until staff and equipment present for emergency tracheotomy
