ATI RN Pediatric Nursing Online Practice 2026 B Exam
Questions and Answers
ABOUT THIS RESOURCE
This comprehensive question bank is designed to help you prepare for the ATI RN
Pediatric Nursing Online Practice 2026 B exam. Questions are organized by system
and based on ATI's Nursing Care of Children content, with detailed rationales to
reinforce clinical judgment and evidence-based practice.
SECTION 1: GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child at a well-child visit. Which of the following
developmental milestones should the nurse expect to observe?
A) Identifies right from left hand
B) Uses a utensil to spread butter
C) Cuts a shape using scissors
D) Draws a stick figure with seven body parts
,Answer: C) Cuts a shape using scissors
Rationale: Cutting a shape using scissors is an expected fine motor milestone for a 4-year-
old. Identifying right from left and spreading butter are skills expected of a 6-year-old.
Drawing a stick figure with seven body parts is expected at age 5.
Question 2
A mother tells the nurse that her 2-year-old child consistently yells "NO!" during toilet
training attempts. According to Erikson, which psychosocial crisis is the child
experiencing?
A) Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
B) Initiative vs. Guilt
C) Industry vs. Inferiority
D) Trust vs. Mistrust
Answer: A) Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Rationale: The toddler stage (ages 1-3) is characterized by Erikson's psychosocial crisis of
autonomy versus shame and doubt. Saying "no" and asserting independence are normal
behaviors during this stage. Initiative vs. Guilt applies to preschoolers; Industry vs.
Inferiority applies to school-age children.
,Question 3
A nurse is preparing a toddler for an injection. Which approach is most appropriate?
A) Provide a lengthy explanation about the procedure
B) Use simple, concrete language and offer distraction
C) Tell the child the injection will not hurt
D) Ask the parent to leave the room
Answer: B) Use simple, concrete language and offer distraction
Rationale: Toddlers have limited understanding of abstract concepts. Brief, concrete
explanations and distraction techniques (e.g., bubbles, toys) are developmentally
appropriate. Providing lengthy explanations, lying about pain, or separating the child from
parents increases anxiety.
Question 4
A preschooler tells the nurse, "I got sick because I was bad." Which concept does this
statement demonstrate?
A) Magical thinking
B) Formal operational thinking
C) Abstract reasoning
D) Object permanence
, Answer: A) Magical thinking
Rationale: Preschoolers (ages 3-6) often engage in magical thinking, believing that
thoughts or behaviors can cause unrelated events. This is a normal cognitive characteristic
of this age group and explains why children may feel responsible for their illness.
Question 5
A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant. Which of the following findings is a normal
developmental milestone?
A) The infant can sit unsupported
B) The infant can pull to a standing position
C) The infant can transfer a toy from one hand to the other
D) The infant can walk independently
Answer: C) The infant can transfer a toy from one hand to the other
Rationale: A 6-month-old infant typically can transfer objects from one hand to the other.
Sitting unsupported occurs around 6-8 months; pulling to stand and walking occur around
9-12 months.
Question 6
A nurse is providing teaching to the parents of a preschooler about age-appropriate
discipline. Which statement should the nurse include?
Questions and Answers
ABOUT THIS RESOURCE
This comprehensive question bank is designed to help you prepare for the ATI RN
Pediatric Nursing Online Practice 2026 B exam. Questions are organized by system
and based on ATI's Nursing Care of Children content, with detailed rationales to
reinforce clinical judgment and evidence-based practice.
SECTION 1: GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child at a well-child visit. Which of the following
developmental milestones should the nurse expect to observe?
A) Identifies right from left hand
B) Uses a utensil to spread butter
C) Cuts a shape using scissors
D) Draws a stick figure with seven body parts
,Answer: C) Cuts a shape using scissors
Rationale: Cutting a shape using scissors is an expected fine motor milestone for a 4-year-
old. Identifying right from left and spreading butter are skills expected of a 6-year-old.
Drawing a stick figure with seven body parts is expected at age 5.
Question 2
A mother tells the nurse that her 2-year-old child consistently yells "NO!" during toilet
training attempts. According to Erikson, which psychosocial crisis is the child
experiencing?
A) Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
B) Initiative vs. Guilt
C) Industry vs. Inferiority
D) Trust vs. Mistrust
Answer: A) Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Rationale: The toddler stage (ages 1-3) is characterized by Erikson's psychosocial crisis of
autonomy versus shame and doubt. Saying "no" and asserting independence are normal
behaviors during this stage. Initiative vs. Guilt applies to preschoolers; Industry vs.
Inferiority applies to school-age children.
,Question 3
A nurse is preparing a toddler for an injection. Which approach is most appropriate?
A) Provide a lengthy explanation about the procedure
B) Use simple, concrete language and offer distraction
C) Tell the child the injection will not hurt
D) Ask the parent to leave the room
Answer: B) Use simple, concrete language and offer distraction
Rationale: Toddlers have limited understanding of abstract concepts. Brief, concrete
explanations and distraction techniques (e.g., bubbles, toys) are developmentally
appropriate. Providing lengthy explanations, lying about pain, or separating the child from
parents increases anxiety.
Question 4
A preschooler tells the nurse, "I got sick because I was bad." Which concept does this
statement demonstrate?
A) Magical thinking
B) Formal operational thinking
C) Abstract reasoning
D) Object permanence
, Answer: A) Magical thinking
Rationale: Preschoolers (ages 3-6) often engage in magical thinking, believing that
thoughts or behaviors can cause unrelated events. This is a normal cognitive characteristic
of this age group and explains why children may feel responsible for their illness.
Question 5
A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant. Which of the following findings is a normal
developmental milestone?
A) The infant can sit unsupported
B) The infant can pull to a standing position
C) The infant can transfer a toy from one hand to the other
D) The infant can walk independently
Answer: C) The infant can transfer a toy from one hand to the other
Rationale: A 6-month-old infant typically can transfer objects from one hand to the other.
Sitting unsupported occurs around 6-8 months; pulling to stand and walking occur around
9-12 months.
Question 6
A nurse is providing teaching to the parents of a preschooler about age-appropriate
discipline. Which statement should the nurse include?
