ATI Pediatrics Proctored Exam 2026 - Complete Study
Guide with 200+ Actual Exam Questions with Verified
Correct Answers and Detailed Rationales | Latest
Update- Rated A+
Question 1
The nurse is preparing to administer an immunization to a four-year-old child. Which of
the following actions should the nurse plan to take?
A- Place the child in a prone position for the immunization
B- Request that the child's caregiver leave the room during the immunization
C- Administer the immunization using a 24-gauge needle
D- Inject the immunization slowly after aspirating for 3 seconds
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse should administer an immunization for a 4-year-old child using
a 24-gauge needle to minimize the amount of pain experienced by the child. The nurse
should place the child in an upright sitting position because this decreases the child's
fear and anxiety. The nurse should allow the caregiver to stay near the child during the
immunization to provide a sense of security and reduce the child's anxiety level. The
nurse should inject the immunization rapidly and avoid aspiration. These actions
decrease the risk of needle displacement and lower the child's fear and anxiety level by
decreasing the amount of time it takes to administer the immunization.
Question 2
A nurse is reviewing the laboratory report of an infant who is receiving treatment for
severe dehydration. The nurse should identify which of the following laboratory values
indicates effectiveness of the current treatment?
A- Potassium 2.9 mEq/L
B- Sodium 140 mEq/L
C- Urine specific gravity 1.035
D- BUN 25 mg/dL
Correct Answer: B
pg. 1
,Rationale: The nurse should identify that a sodium level of 140 mEq/L is within the
expected reference range and indicates the current treatment regimen the infant is
receiving for dehydration is effective. A potassium level of 2.9 mEq/L is below the
expected reference range and indicates hypokalemia. A urine specific gravity of 1.035 is
above the expected reference range and indicates concentrated urine. A BUN level of 25
mg/dL is above the expected reference range and indicates the kidneys are not excreting
BUN as they should be.
Question 3
The nurse is providing teaching about social development to the parents of a
preschooler. Which of the following play activities 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
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse should instruct the parents that at the preschool age, play should
focus on social, mental, and physical development. Therefore, playing dress-up is a
recommended play activity for this child. Playing pat-a-cake is a recommended play
activity for an infant. Using a push pull toy is a recommended play activity for a toddler.
Creating a scrapbook is a recommended play activity for a school-age child.
Question 4
A nurse is teaching the parents of a newborn about ways to prevent sudden infant death
syndrome (SIDS). Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A- Place the infant in a prone position to sleep.
B- Allow the infant to sleep on a large pillow.
C- Use a soft mattress in the infant's crib.
D- Give the infant a pacifier at bedtime.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse should inform the parent that protective factors against SIDS
include breastfeeding and the use of a pacifier when the infant is sleeping. The nurse
should instruct the parent to place the infant in a supine position to sleep. Prone and
side-lying positions are risk factors for SIDS. Placing the infant on a large pillow to sleep
pg. 2
,can increase the risk of suffocation, asphyxiation, and SIDS. The nurse should instruct
the parent to use a firm mattress and avoid the use of waterbeds, beanbags, or soft
mattresses when placing the infant to bed.
Question 5
A nurse is assessing an infant who has pneumonia. Which of the following findings is
the priority for the nurse to report to the provider?
A- Nasal flaring
B- WBC 11,300
C- Diarrhea
D- Abdominal distension
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When using the airway, breathing, circulation approach to client care, the
nurse should place the priority on nasal flaring. Nasal flaring indicates that the infant is
experiencing acute respiratory distress. The nurse should report a WBC of 11,300/mm³
because it is above the expected reference range and indicates infection. Diarrhea and
abdominal distension are manifestations of pneumonia in infants and indicate the
current treatment is not effective. However, nasal flaring is the priority finding.
Question 6
A school nurse is assessing a school-age child's blood pressure while he is seated in a
chair. The child starts to experience a tonic-clonic seizure. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take first?
A- Clear the immediate area around the child of hazardous objects
B- Loosen the child's restrictive clothing
C- Assist the child to a side-lying position on the floor
D- Apply an oxygen mask to the child
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The greatest risk to this child is aspiration, occlusion of the airway, and
bodily injury from falling out of the chair. The nurse should ease the child down to the
floor in a side-lying position immediately. This position enables the child's secretions to
drain from the mouth, preventing aspiration, and maintaining a patent airway. Clearing
the area, loosening clothing, and applying oxygen are important but are not the first
actions the nurse should take.
pg. 3
, Question 7
A nurse is preparing to administer ibuprofen 5 mg per kg every 6 hours PRN for
temperatures above 38.0°C (100.5°F) to an infant who weighs 17.6 lb. The infant has a
temperature of 38.4°C (101.2°F). Available is ibuprofen liquid 100 mg/5 mL. How many
milliliters should the nurse administer to the infant per dose? Round the answer to the
nearest whole number.
Correct Answer: 2 mL
Rationale: First, convert the infant's weight from pounds to kilograms: 17.6 lb ÷ 2.2 =
8 kg. Then calculate the dose: 5 mg/kg × 8 kg = 40 mg. Next, calculate the volume: 40
mg × (5 mL/100 mg) = 2 mL. The nurse should administer 2 mL of ibuprofen liquid per
dose.
Question 8
A nurse is receiving change-of-shift report on four children. Which of the following
children should the nurse assess first?
A- A toddler who has a concussion and an episode of forceful vomiting
B- An adolescent who has infective endocarditis and reports having a headache
C- An adolescent who was placed into Halo traction 1 hour ago and rates his pain at a 6
on a 0-10 scale
D- A school-age child who has acute glomerulonephritis and brown-colored urine
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When using the urgent vs. non-urgent approach to client care, the nurse
should assess this child first. An episode of forceful vomiting is an indication of
increased intracranial pressure in a toddler who has a concussion. A headache is a non-
urgent finding for a child who has infective endocarditis. Moderate pain is expected for a
child with a new halo traction device. Brown-colored urine is expected for a school-age
child who has acute glomerulonephritis.
Question 9
A nurse in the emergency department is caring for an adolescent who has severe
abdominal pain due to appendicitis. Which of the following locations should the nurse
identify as McBurney's point?
pg. 4
Guide with 200+ Actual Exam Questions with Verified
Correct Answers and Detailed Rationales | Latest
Update- Rated A+
Question 1
The nurse is preparing to administer an immunization to a four-year-old child. Which of
the following actions should the nurse plan to take?
A- Place the child in a prone position for the immunization
B- Request that the child's caregiver leave the room during the immunization
C- Administer the immunization using a 24-gauge needle
D- Inject the immunization slowly after aspirating for 3 seconds
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse should administer an immunization for a 4-year-old child using
a 24-gauge needle to minimize the amount of pain experienced by the child. The nurse
should place the child in an upright sitting position because this decreases the child's
fear and anxiety. The nurse should allow the caregiver to stay near the child during the
immunization to provide a sense of security and reduce the child's anxiety level. The
nurse should inject the immunization rapidly and avoid aspiration. These actions
decrease the risk of needle displacement and lower the child's fear and anxiety level by
decreasing the amount of time it takes to administer the immunization.
Question 2
A nurse is reviewing the laboratory report of an infant who is receiving treatment for
severe dehydration. The nurse should identify which of the following laboratory values
indicates effectiveness of the current treatment?
A- Potassium 2.9 mEq/L
B- Sodium 140 mEq/L
C- Urine specific gravity 1.035
D- BUN 25 mg/dL
Correct Answer: B
pg. 1
,Rationale: The nurse should identify that a sodium level of 140 mEq/L is within the
expected reference range and indicates the current treatment regimen the infant is
receiving for dehydration is effective. A potassium level of 2.9 mEq/L is below the
expected reference range and indicates hypokalemia. A urine specific gravity of 1.035 is
above the expected reference range and indicates concentrated urine. A BUN level of 25
mg/dL is above the expected reference range and indicates the kidneys are not excreting
BUN as they should be.
Question 3
The nurse is providing teaching about social development to the parents of a
preschooler. Which of the following play activities 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
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse should instruct the parents that at the preschool age, play should
focus on social, mental, and physical development. Therefore, playing dress-up is a
recommended play activity for this child. Playing pat-a-cake is a recommended play
activity for an infant. Using a push pull toy is a recommended play activity for a toddler.
Creating a scrapbook is a recommended play activity for a school-age child.
Question 4
A nurse is teaching the parents of a newborn about ways to prevent sudden infant death
syndrome (SIDS). Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A- Place the infant in a prone position to sleep.
B- Allow the infant to sleep on a large pillow.
C- Use a soft mattress in the infant's crib.
D- Give the infant a pacifier at bedtime.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse should inform the parent that protective factors against SIDS
include breastfeeding and the use of a pacifier when the infant is sleeping. The nurse
should instruct the parent to place the infant in a supine position to sleep. Prone and
side-lying positions are risk factors for SIDS. Placing the infant on a large pillow to sleep
pg. 2
,can increase the risk of suffocation, asphyxiation, and SIDS. The nurse should instruct
the parent to use a firm mattress and avoid the use of waterbeds, beanbags, or soft
mattresses when placing the infant to bed.
Question 5
A nurse is assessing an infant who has pneumonia. Which of the following findings is
the priority for the nurse to report to the provider?
A- Nasal flaring
B- WBC 11,300
C- Diarrhea
D- Abdominal distension
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When using the airway, breathing, circulation approach to client care, the
nurse should place the priority on nasal flaring. Nasal flaring indicates that the infant is
experiencing acute respiratory distress. The nurse should report a WBC of 11,300/mm³
because it is above the expected reference range and indicates infection. Diarrhea and
abdominal distension are manifestations of pneumonia in infants and indicate the
current treatment is not effective. However, nasal flaring is the priority finding.
Question 6
A school nurse is assessing a school-age child's blood pressure while he is seated in a
chair. The child starts to experience a tonic-clonic seizure. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take first?
A- Clear the immediate area around the child of hazardous objects
B- Loosen the child's restrictive clothing
C- Assist the child to a side-lying position on the floor
D- Apply an oxygen mask to the child
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The greatest risk to this child is aspiration, occlusion of the airway, and
bodily injury from falling out of the chair. The nurse should ease the child down to the
floor in a side-lying position immediately. This position enables the child's secretions to
drain from the mouth, preventing aspiration, and maintaining a patent airway. Clearing
the area, loosening clothing, and applying oxygen are important but are not the first
actions the nurse should take.
pg. 3
, Question 7
A nurse is preparing to administer ibuprofen 5 mg per kg every 6 hours PRN for
temperatures above 38.0°C (100.5°F) to an infant who weighs 17.6 lb. The infant has a
temperature of 38.4°C (101.2°F). Available is ibuprofen liquid 100 mg/5 mL. How many
milliliters should the nurse administer to the infant per dose? Round the answer to the
nearest whole number.
Correct Answer: 2 mL
Rationale: First, convert the infant's weight from pounds to kilograms: 17.6 lb ÷ 2.2 =
8 kg. Then calculate the dose: 5 mg/kg × 8 kg = 40 mg. Next, calculate the volume: 40
mg × (5 mL/100 mg) = 2 mL. The nurse should administer 2 mL of ibuprofen liquid per
dose.
Question 8
A nurse is receiving change-of-shift report on four children. Which of the following
children should the nurse assess first?
A- A toddler who has a concussion and an episode of forceful vomiting
B- An adolescent who has infective endocarditis and reports having a headache
C- An adolescent who was placed into Halo traction 1 hour ago and rates his pain at a 6
on a 0-10 scale
D- A school-age child who has acute glomerulonephritis and brown-colored urine
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When using the urgent vs. non-urgent approach to client care, the nurse
should assess this child first. An episode of forceful vomiting is an indication of
increased intracranial pressure in a toddler who has a concussion. A headache is a non-
urgent finding for a child who has infective endocarditis. Moderate pain is expected for a
child with a new halo traction device. Brown-colored urine is expected for a school-age
child who has acute glomerulonephritis.
Question 9
A nurse in the emergency department is caring for an adolescent who has severe
abdominal pain due to appendicitis. Which of the following locations should the nurse
identify as McBurney's point?
pg. 4
