ATI RN Pediatric Proctored Exam – 150
Practice Questions & Rationales
Based on available 2023-2024 ATI RN Pediatric Proctored Exam materials,
here is a comprehensive set of 150 NGN-style questions with correct
answers and detailed rationales. Note: These are sample questions for
study purposes; actual ATI exam content is confidential and subject to
change.
SECTION 1: GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT (Questions
1-20)
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a 9-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which
finding should the nurse expect?
A) The infant walks independently
B) The infant sits unsupported and may be beginning to crawl
C) The infant has a pincer grasp
D) The infant speaks two-word phrases
Answer: B
Rationale: By 9 months, infants typically sit unsupported steadily, crawl (or
commando crawl), and pull to stand. A pincer grasp develops around 10-12
months. Walking independently occurs around 12-15 months. Two-word
phrases emerge around 18-24 months.
,Question 2
A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant at a well-child visit. Which of the
following findings indicates the need for further assessment?
A) Grabs feet and pulls them to her mouth
B) Posterior fontanel is closed
C) Legs remain crossed and extended when supine
D) Birth weight has doubled
Answer: C
Rationale: Legs crossed and extended when supine is an unexpected
finding and requires further assessment. At 6 months of age, the legs flex
at the knees when the infant is supine. Crossed and extended legs when
supine is a finding associated with cerebral palsy.
Question 3
A nurse is providing teaching about social development to the parents of a
preschooler. Which play activity should the nurse recommend for the child?
A) Play pat-a-cake
B) Using a push-pull toy
C) Creating a scrapbook
D) Playing dress-up
Answer: D
Rationale: At the preschool age, play should focus on social, mental, and
physical development. Playing dress-up is a recommended play activity
that encourages imagination, social interaction, and role exploration.
,Question 4
According to Erikson's psychosocial theory, the developmental task of an
adolescent (12-18 years) is:
A) Trust vs. Mistrust
B) Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
C) Industry vs. Inferiority
D) Identity vs. Role Confusion
Answer: D
Rationale: Adolescents face the task of developing a sense of personal
identity. Successful resolution leads to fidelity (ability to commit to others
and a career path). Trust vs. Mistrust is infancy (0-1 year). Autonomy vs.
Shame/Doubt is toddlerhood (1-3 years). Industry vs. Inferiority is
school-age (6-12 years).
Question 5
A nurse is teaching the parents of a 12-month-old about nutrition. Which
statement by the parents indicates understanding?
A) "We can introduce cow's milk now."
B) "We should continue to give whole milk until age 2."
C) "We can give our child honey now."
D) "Low-fat milk is best for our 12-month-old."
Answer: B
Rationale: Whole milk is recommended for children ages 1-2 because
dietary fat is essential for brain development. Low-fat or skim milk can be
introduced after age 2. Cow's milk can be introduced at 12 months (not
before). Honey should be avoided until after 12 months due to botulism
risk.
, Question 6
A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old toddler. Which finding is consistent with
expected developmental milestones?
A) The toddler stands on one foot for several seconds
B) The toddler builds a tower of 6-7 blocks
C) The toddler uses 2-3 word sentences
D) The toddler rides a tricycle
Answer: C
Rationale: A 2-year-old typically uses 2-3 word sentences. Standing on one
foot and building towers of 6-7 blocks are skills of a 3-4 year old. Riding a
tricycle is a skill of a 3-4 year old.
Question 7
A nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child. Which finding indicates the child is
meeting expected developmental milestones?
A) The child can tie shoelaces
B) The child draws a person with 6 body parts
C) The child speaks in 3-4 word sentences
D) The child can hop on one foot
Answer: D
Rationale: A 4-year-old can hop on one foot. Tying shoelaces and drawing a
person with 6 body parts are skills of a 5-year-old. Speaking in 3-4 word
sentences is a skill of a 2-3 year old.
Question 8
A nurse is providing teaching to parents of a toddler about developmental
milestones. Which statement by the parents indicates understanding?
Practice Questions & Rationales
Based on available 2023-2024 ATI RN Pediatric Proctored Exam materials,
here is a comprehensive set of 150 NGN-style questions with correct
answers and detailed rationales. Note: These are sample questions for
study purposes; actual ATI exam content is confidential and subject to
change.
SECTION 1: GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT (Questions
1-20)
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a 9-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which
finding should the nurse expect?
A) The infant walks independently
B) The infant sits unsupported and may be beginning to crawl
C) The infant has a pincer grasp
D) The infant speaks two-word phrases
Answer: B
Rationale: By 9 months, infants typically sit unsupported steadily, crawl (or
commando crawl), and pull to stand. A pincer grasp develops around 10-12
months. Walking independently occurs around 12-15 months. Two-word
phrases emerge around 18-24 months.
,Question 2
A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant at a well-child visit. Which of the
following findings indicates the need for further assessment?
A) Grabs feet and pulls them to her mouth
B) Posterior fontanel is closed
C) Legs remain crossed and extended when supine
D) Birth weight has doubled
Answer: C
Rationale: Legs crossed and extended when supine is an unexpected
finding and requires further assessment. At 6 months of age, the legs flex
at the knees when the infant is supine. Crossed and extended legs when
supine is a finding associated with cerebral palsy.
Question 3
A nurse is providing teaching about social development to the parents of a
preschooler. Which play activity should the nurse recommend for the child?
A) Play pat-a-cake
B) Using a push-pull toy
C) Creating a scrapbook
D) Playing dress-up
Answer: D
Rationale: At the preschool age, play should focus on social, mental, and
physical development. Playing dress-up is a recommended play activity
that encourages imagination, social interaction, and role exploration.
,Question 4
According to Erikson's psychosocial theory, the developmental task of an
adolescent (12-18 years) is:
A) Trust vs. Mistrust
B) Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
C) Industry vs. Inferiority
D) Identity vs. Role Confusion
Answer: D
Rationale: Adolescents face the task of developing a sense of personal
identity. Successful resolution leads to fidelity (ability to commit to others
and a career path). Trust vs. Mistrust is infancy (0-1 year). Autonomy vs.
Shame/Doubt is toddlerhood (1-3 years). Industry vs. Inferiority is
school-age (6-12 years).
Question 5
A nurse is teaching the parents of a 12-month-old about nutrition. Which
statement by the parents indicates understanding?
A) "We can introduce cow's milk now."
B) "We should continue to give whole milk until age 2."
C) "We can give our child honey now."
D) "Low-fat milk is best for our 12-month-old."
Answer: B
Rationale: Whole milk is recommended for children ages 1-2 because
dietary fat is essential for brain development. Low-fat or skim milk can be
introduced after age 2. Cow's milk can be introduced at 12 months (not
before). Honey should be avoided until after 12 months due to botulism
risk.
, Question 6
A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old toddler. Which finding is consistent with
expected developmental milestones?
A) The toddler stands on one foot for several seconds
B) The toddler builds a tower of 6-7 blocks
C) The toddler uses 2-3 word sentences
D) The toddler rides a tricycle
Answer: C
Rationale: A 2-year-old typically uses 2-3 word sentences. Standing on one
foot and building towers of 6-7 blocks are skills of a 3-4 year old. Riding a
tricycle is a skill of a 3-4 year old.
Question 7
A nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child. Which finding indicates the child is
meeting expected developmental milestones?
A) The child can tie shoelaces
B) The child draws a person with 6 body parts
C) The child speaks in 3-4 word sentences
D) The child can hop on one foot
Answer: D
Rationale: A 4-year-old can hop on one foot. Tying shoelaces and drawing a
person with 6 body parts are skills of a 5-year-old. Speaking in 3-4 word
sentences is a skill of a 2-3 year old.
Question 8
A nurse is providing teaching to parents of a toddler about developmental
milestones. Which statement by the parents indicates understanding?
