ATI CAPSTONE PEDIATRICS ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES LATEST VERSION 2026 (100% VERIFIED
ANSWERS) ALREADY GRADED A+
1. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant during a routine visit. Which developmental
milestone should the nurse expect the infant to have achieved?
A. Walking independently
B. Using two-word phrases
C. Rolling from back to abdomen and sitting with support
D. Building a tower of four blocks
Answer: C
Rationale: By 6 months, infants typically can roll over, sit with support, bear weight on their
legs, and begin transferring objects between hands. Walking, two-word phrases, and stacking
blocks occur later in development.
2. A nurse is providing teaching to parents of a newborn about safe sleep practices. Which
statement indicates understanding?
A. “I will place my baby on their stomach to sleep.”
B. “I will use pillows to make the crib comfortable.”
C. “I will place my baby on their back in an empty crib.”
D. “I will let my baby sleep in my bed with me.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Infants should be placed on their backs to sleep on a firm surface with no loose
bedding, pillows, or soft objects to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
3. A nurse is assessing a toddler’s language development. Which finding is expected for a 2-
year-old child?
,A. Speaking no words
B. Using only sounds to communicate
C. Using two-word phrases
D. Reading simple sentences
Answer: C
Rationale: Most 2-year-old children can combine two words, have a vocabulary of
approximately 50 or more words, and understand simple commands.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a pediatric client. Which action is the
priority?
A. Asking the child’s age only
B. Estimating the dose based on appearance
C. Calculating the dose using the child’s weight in kilograms
D. Using the adult dose and dividing it in half
Answer: C
Rationale: Pediatric medication dosing is commonly weight-based. The nurse should use the
child’s weight in kilograms and verify calculations to prevent medication errors.
5. A nurse is caring for a child who has a fever. Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Applying alcohol rubs to reduce fever
B. Giving aspirin as prescribed
C. Encouraging fluids and administering antipyretics as ordered
D. Covering the child with heavy blankets
Answer: C
Rationale: Fever management includes maintaining hydration, monitoring temperature, and
administering medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen when appropriate. Aspirin is
avoided in children due to the risk of Reye syndrome.
6. A nurse is assessing a newborn immediately after birth. Which finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. Heart rate of 140/min
B. Respiratory rate of 40/min
C. Central cyanosis and difficulty breathing
D. Sneezing after birth
Answer: C
, Rationale: Central cyanosis and respiratory distress indicate possible oxygenation problems
and require immediate assessment and intervention.
7. A nurse is educating parents about immunizations. Which statement is correct?
A. Vaccines weaken the immune system
B. Vaccines are only needed during infancy
C. Vaccines help protect children from preventable diseases
D. Vaccines eliminate the need for health screenings
Answer: C
Rationale: Immunizations stimulate immunity and protect children from serious vaccine-
preventable illnesses.
8. A nurse is caring for a child with dehydration from gastroenteritis. Which assessment
finding indicates worsening dehydration?
A. Moist mucous membranes
B. Increased urine output
C. Delayed capillary refill and decreased urine output
D. Normal skin turgor
Answer: C
Rationale: Signs of dehydration include decreased urine output, poor skin turgor, dry mucous
membranes, tachycardia, and delayed capillary refill.
9. A nurse is assessing a child with asthma. Which finding indicates respiratory distress?
A. Clear breath sounds
B. Normal respiratory rate
C. Use of accessory muscles and wheezing
D. Ability to speak normally
Answer: C
Rationale: Increased work of breathing, accessory muscle use, wheezing, and difficulty
speaking indicate airway obstruction and respiratory distress.
10. A nurse is teaching a child with asthma about using a metered-dose inhaler. Which
instruction is correct?
A. Inhale quickly after pressing the medication
B. Skip shaking the inhaler
AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES LATEST VERSION 2026 (100% VERIFIED
ANSWERS) ALREADY GRADED A+
1. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant during a routine visit. Which developmental
milestone should the nurse expect the infant to have achieved?
A. Walking independently
B. Using two-word phrases
C. Rolling from back to abdomen and sitting with support
D. Building a tower of four blocks
Answer: C
Rationale: By 6 months, infants typically can roll over, sit with support, bear weight on their
legs, and begin transferring objects between hands. Walking, two-word phrases, and stacking
blocks occur later in development.
2. A nurse is providing teaching to parents of a newborn about safe sleep practices. Which
statement indicates understanding?
A. “I will place my baby on their stomach to sleep.”
B. “I will use pillows to make the crib comfortable.”
C. “I will place my baby on their back in an empty crib.”
D. “I will let my baby sleep in my bed with me.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Infants should be placed on their backs to sleep on a firm surface with no loose
bedding, pillows, or soft objects to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
3. A nurse is assessing a toddler’s language development. Which finding is expected for a 2-
year-old child?
,A. Speaking no words
B. Using only sounds to communicate
C. Using two-word phrases
D. Reading simple sentences
Answer: C
Rationale: Most 2-year-old children can combine two words, have a vocabulary of
approximately 50 or more words, and understand simple commands.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a pediatric client. Which action is the
priority?
A. Asking the child’s age only
B. Estimating the dose based on appearance
C. Calculating the dose using the child’s weight in kilograms
D. Using the adult dose and dividing it in half
Answer: C
Rationale: Pediatric medication dosing is commonly weight-based. The nurse should use the
child’s weight in kilograms and verify calculations to prevent medication errors.
5. A nurse is caring for a child who has a fever. Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Applying alcohol rubs to reduce fever
B. Giving aspirin as prescribed
C. Encouraging fluids and administering antipyretics as ordered
D. Covering the child with heavy blankets
Answer: C
Rationale: Fever management includes maintaining hydration, monitoring temperature, and
administering medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen when appropriate. Aspirin is
avoided in children due to the risk of Reye syndrome.
6. A nurse is assessing a newborn immediately after birth. Which finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. Heart rate of 140/min
B. Respiratory rate of 40/min
C. Central cyanosis and difficulty breathing
D. Sneezing after birth
Answer: C
, Rationale: Central cyanosis and respiratory distress indicate possible oxygenation problems
and require immediate assessment and intervention.
7. A nurse is educating parents about immunizations. Which statement is correct?
A. Vaccines weaken the immune system
B. Vaccines are only needed during infancy
C. Vaccines help protect children from preventable diseases
D. Vaccines eliminate the need for health screenings
Answer: C
Rationale: Immunizations stimulate immunity and protect children from serious vaccine-
preventable illnesses.
8. A nurse is caring for a child with dehydration from gastroenteritis. Which assessment
finding indicates worsening dehydration?
A. Moist mucous membranes
B. Increased urine output
C. Delayed capillary refill and decreased urine output
D. Normal skin turgor
Answer: C
Rationale: Signs of dehydration include decreased urine output, poor skin turgor, dry mucous
membranes, tachycardia, and delayed capillary refill.
9. A nurse is assessing a child with asthma. Which finding indicates respiratory distress?
A. Clear breath sounds
B. Normal respiratory rate
C. Use of accessory muscles and wheezing
D. Ability to speak normally
Answer: C
Rationale: Increased work of breathing, accessory muscle use, wheezing, and difficulty
speaking indicate airway obstruction and respiratory distress.
10. A nurse is teaching a child with asthma about using a metered-dose inhaler. Which
instruction is correct?
A. Inhale quickly after pressing the medication
B. Skip shaking the inhaler
