2026 ATI Nursing Care of Children
Proctored Assessment Pediatric Nursing
Exam Practice Questions, Bold Answers,
and Italicized Rationales
1. A nurse is assessing a 4-month-old infant. Which finding
indicates expected growth and development?
A. Sitting independently
B. Walking with support
C. Rolling from abdomen to back
D. Using a pincer grasp
Answer: C. Rolling from abdomen to back
Rationale: Infants typically roll from the abdomen to the back
around 4 months of age. Sitting independently, walking, and the
pincer grasp develop later.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular
injection to a 3-month-old infant. Which site is appropriate?
,A. Deltoid muscle
B. Dorsogluteal muscle
C. Ventrogluteal muscle
D. Vastus lateralis muscle
Answer: D. Vastus lateralis muscle
Rationale: The vastus lateralis is the preferred IM injection site
for infants because it is well developed and free of major nerves
and blood vessels.
3. A child with acute otitis media is prescribed amoxicillin.
Which statement by the parent indicates understanding?
A. Stop the medication when symptoms improve.
B. Complete the entire prescription.
C. Save leftover medication for future infections.
D. Give medication only when fever is present.
Answer: B. Complete the entire prescription.
Rationale: Completing the full antibiotic course reduces
recurrence and prevents antibiotic resistance.
4. Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention
for a child with dehydration?
,A. Dry lips
B. Thirst
C. Decreased tears
D. Delayed capillary refill greater than 3 seconds
Answer: D. Delayed capillary refill greater than 3 seconds
Rationale: Prolonged capillary refill indicates poor tissue
perfusion and may suggest worsening dehydration requiring
prompt treatment.
5. Which vaccine is routinely administered shortly after birth?
A. DTaP
B. MMR
C. Varicella
D. Hepatitis B
Answer: D. Hepatitis B
Rationale: Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended within 24 hours
after birth for healthy newborns.
6. A nurse is caring for a child with croup. Which finding is
expected?
A. Expiratory wheezing
B. Inspiratory stridor
, C. Bradycardia
D. Productive cough
Answer: B. Inspiratory stridor
Rationale: Inspiratory stridor and a barking cough are classic
manifestations of croup due to upper airway obstruction.
7. Which intervention is appropriate for a child experiencing a
febrile seizure?
A. Restrain the child.
B. Insert an oral airway.
C. Place the child on the side.
D. Offer fluids immediately.
Answer: C. Place the child on the side.
Rationale: Side-lying positioning maintains a patent airway and
reduces aspiration risk during seizures.
8. A nurse is teaching parents about sudden infant death
syndrome (SIDS) prevention. Which instruction is correct?
A. Use soft bedding.
B. Place the infant on the stomach.
C. Sleep with the infant in the same bed.
D. Place the infant on the back to sleep.
Proctored Assessment Pediatric Nursing
Exam Practice Questions, Bold Answers,
and Italicized Rationales
1. A nurse is assessing a 4-month-old infant. Which finding
indicates expected growth and development?
A. Sitting independently
B. Walking with support
C. Rolling from abdomen to back
D. Using a pincer grasp
Answer: C. Rolling from abdomen to back
Rationale: Infants typically roll from the abdomen to the back
around 4 months of age. Sitting independently, walking, and the
pincer grasp develop later.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular
injection to a 3-month-old infant. Which site is appropriate?
,A. Deltoid muscle
B. Dorsogluteal muscle
C. Ventrogluteal muscle
D. Vastus lateralis muscle
Answer: D. Vastus lateralis muscle
Rationale: The vastus lateralis is the preferred IM injection site
for infants because it is well developed and free of major nerves
and blood vessels.
3. A child with acute otitis media is prescribed amoxicillin.
Which statement by the parent indicates understanding?
A. Stop the medication when symptoms improve.
B. Complete the entire prescription.
C. Save leftover medication for future infections.
D. Give medication only when fever is present.
Answer: B. Complete the entire prescription.
Rationale: Completing the full antibiotic course reduces
recurrence and prevents antibiotic resistance.
4. Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention
for a child with dehydration?
,A. Dry lips
B. Thirst
C. Decreased tears
D. Delayed capillary refill greater than 3 seconds
Answer: D. Delayed capillary refill greater than 3 seconds
Rationale: Prolonged capillary refill indicates poor tissue
perfusion and may suggest worsening dehydration requiring
prompt treatment.
5. Which vaccine is routinely administered shortly after birth?
A. DTaP
B. MMR
C. Varicella
D. Hepatitis B
Answer: D. Hepatitis B
Rationale: Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended within 24 hours
after birth for healthy newborns.
6. A nurse is caring for a child with croup. Which finding is
expected?
A. Expiratory wheezing
B. Inspiratory stridor
, C. Bradycardia
D. Productive cough
Answer: B. Inspiratory stridor
Rationale: Inspiratory stridor and a barking cough are classic
manifestations of croup due to upper airway obstruction.
7. Which intervention is appropriate for a child experiencing a
febrile seizure?
A. Restrain the child.
B. Insert an oral airway.
C. Place the child on the side.
D. Offer fluids immediately.
Answer: C. Place the child on the side.
Rationale: Side-lying positioning maintains a patent airway and
reduces aspiration risk during seizures.
8. A nurse is teaching parents about sudden infant death
syndrome (SIDS) prevention. Which instruction is correct?
A. Use soft bedding.
B. Place the infant on the stomach.
C. Sleep with the infant in the same bed.
D. Place the infant on the back to sleep.
