ATI RN PEDIATRICS EXAM 100 QUESTIONS 2026-
2027|ORIGINAL QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
|DETAILED RATIONALES |HINTED COMPLETE
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1. A nurse is assessing a 2-month-old infant. Which finding requires
immediate intervention?
A. Respiratory rate of 44/min
B. Heart rate of 140/min
C. Nasal flaring and grunting
D. Temperature of 37.2°C (99°F)
Answer: C. Nasal flaring and grunting
Rationale: Nasal flaring and grunting are signs of increased work of
breathing and possible respiratory distress. The nurse should
intervene promptly and assess oxygenation and airway status.
2. A nurse is providing care to a 6-month-old infant. Which
developmental milestone should the nurse expect?
A. Walks independently
B. Sits without support
C. Uses three-word sentences
D. Rides a tricycle
Answer: B. Sits without support
,Rationale: By approximately 6 months, many infants can sit
independently or with minimal support. Independent walking and
three-word sentences occur much later.
3. A nurse is assessing a 12-month-old child. Which finding is expected?
A. Uses a pincer grasp
B. Writes their name
C. Skips on one foot
D. Uses complete sentences
Answer: A. Uses a pincer grasp
Rationale: The pincer grasp develops during infancy and is commonly
present around 9–12 months, allowing the child to pick up small
objects between the thumb and index finger.
4. A nurse is teaching parents about safe sleep for an infant. Which
statement should the nurse include?
A. "Place the infant prone for sleep."
B. "Use a soft pillow under the infant's head."
C. "Place the infant supine on a firm mattress."
D. "Place stuffed animals in the crib."
Answer: C. "Place the infant supine on a firm mattress."
Rationale: Infants should be placed on their backs on a firm, flat sleep
surface without pillows, loose blankets, or soft objects to reduce the
risk of sleep-related infant death.
,5. A nurse is assessing an infant with dehydration. Which finding is most
concerning?
A. Moist mucous membranes
B. One wet diaper in 12 hr
C. Tears when crying
D. Bounding peripheral pulses
Answer: B. One wet diaper in 12 hr
Rationale: Significantly decreased urine output is an important
indicator of dehydration in infants and can indicate reduced renal
perfusion.
6. A nurse is caring for a child with suspected epiglottitis. Which action
should the nurse take?
A. Inspect the throat with a tongue blade.
B. Obtain a throat culture immediately.
C. Keep the child calm and prepare for airway management.
D. Place the child supine.
Answer: C. Keep the child calm and prepare for airway management.
Rationale: Epiglottitis can cause rapid, life-threatening airway
obstruction. Agitating the child or attempting to visualize the
epiglottis can worsen obstruction.
7. A child with asthma develops severe respiratory distress. Which
finding indicates worsening airway obstruction?
A. Expiratory wheezing
B. Productive cough
, C. Diminished or absent breath sounds
D. Respiratory rate of 22/min
Answer: C. Diminished or absent breath sounds
Rationale: A decrease or absence of breath sounds in a child with
severe asthma can indicate minimal airflow and impending
respiratory failure.
8. A nurse is teaching a child about using a metered-dose inhaler.
Which instruction is appropriate?
A. "Inhale rapidly after activating the inhaler."
B. "Exhale completely before inhaling the medication."
C. "Do not use a spacer."
D. "Immediately exhale after inhaling."
Answer: B. "Exhale completely before inhaling the medication."
Rationale: Exhaling before medication administration allows the child
to take a deeper inhalation and improves deposition of medication in
the airways.
9. A nurse is assessing a child with cystic fibrosis. Which finding is
expected?
A. Thin respiratory secretions
B. Salty-tasting skin
C. Low sweat chloride concentration
D. Decreased risk of respiratory infections
Answer: B. Salty-tasting skin
2027|ORIGINAL QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
|DETAILED RATIONALES |HINTED COMPLETE
EXAM PREP GRADED A+*INSTANT DOWNLOAD
PDF*
1. A nurse is assessing a 2-month-old infant. Which finding requires
immediate intervention?
A. Respiratory rate of 44/min
B. Heart rate of 140/min
C. Nasal flaring and grunting
D. Temperature of 37.2°C (99°F)
Answer: C. Nasal flaring and grunting
Rationale: Nasal flaring and grunting are signs of increased work of
breathing and possible respiratory distress. The nurse should
intervene promptly and assess oxygenation and airway status.
2. A nurse is providing care to a 6-month-old infant. Which
developmental milestone should the nurse expect?
A. Walks independently
B. Sits without support
C. Uses three-word sentences
D. Rides a tricycle
Answer: B. Sits without support
,Rationale: By approximately 6 months, many infants can sit
independently or with minimal support. Independent walking and
three-word sentences occur much later.
3. A nurse is assessing a 12-month-old child. Which finding is expected?
A. Uses a pincer grasp
B. Writes their name
C. Skips on one foot
D. Uses complete sentences
Answer: A. Uses a pincer grasp
Rationale: The pincer grasp develops during infancy and is commonly
present around 9–12 months, allowing the child to pick up small
objects between the thumb and index finger.
4. A nurse is teaching parents about safe sleep for an infant. Which
statement should the nurse include?
A. "Place the infant prone for sleep."
B. "Use a soft pillow under the infant's head."
C. "Place the infant supine on a firm mattress."
D. "Place stuffed animals in the crib."
Answer: C. "Place the infant supine on a firm mattress."
Rationale: Infants should be placed on their backs on a firm, flat sleep
surface without pillows, loose blankets, or soft objects to reduce the
risk of sleep-related infant death.
,5. A nurse is assessing an infant with dehydration. Which finding is most
concerning?
A. Moist mucous membranes
B. One wet diaper in 12 hr
C. Tears when crying
D. Bounding peripheral pulses
Answer: B. One wet diaper in 12 hr
Rationale: Significantly decreased urine output is an important
indicator of dehydration in infants and can indicate reduced renal
perfusion.
6. A nurse is caring for a child with suspected epiglottitis. Which action
should the nurse take?
A. Inspect the throat with a tongue blade.
B. Obtain a throat culture immediately.
C. Keep the child calm and prepare for airway management.
D. Place the child supine.
Answer: C. Keep the child calm and prepare for airway management.
Rationale: Epiglottitis can cause rapid, life-threatening airway
obstruction. Agitating the child or attempting to visualize the
epiglottis can worsen obstruction.
7. A child with asthma develops severe respiratory distress. Which
finding indicates worsening airway obstruction?
A. Expiratory wheezing
B. Productive cough
, C. Diminished or absent breath sounds
D. Respiratory rate of 22/min
Answer: C. Diminished or absent breath sounds
Rationale: A decrease or absence of breath sounds in a child with
severe asthma can indicate minimal airflow and impending
respiratory failure.
8. A nurse is teaching a child about using a metered-dose inhaler.
Which instruction is appropriate?
A. "Inhale rapidly after activating the inhaler."
B. "Exhale completely before inhaling the medication."
C. "Do not use a spacer."
D. "Immediately exhale after inhaling."
Answer: B. "Exhale completely before inhaling the medication."
Rationale: Exhaling before medication administration allows the child
to take a deeper inhalation and improves deposition of medication in
the airways.
9. A nurse is assessing a child with cystic fibrosis. Which finding is
expected?
A. Thin respiratory secretions
B. Salty-tasting skin
C. Low sweat chloride concentration
D. Decreased risk of respiratory infections
Answer: B. Salty-tasting skin
