FOCUSED PRACTICE TEST * 2026/2027
NR602
Common Pediatric Illnesses
100-Question Focused Practice Test
Respiratory, ENT, gastrointestinal, skin, urinary, infectious, allergic, neurologic, and musculoskeletal conditions
commonly seen in pediatric primary care.
100 A-D 100
Practice Questions Multiple Choice Immediate Explanations
Original study and revision material * Clean print-ready format
, NR602 Common Pediatric Illnesses
100 original questions with the answer and explanation immediately after every question.
Instructions: Select the best answer for each question. The correct answer and detailed explanation appear immediately
after every item. Questions are original and cover common respiratory, ENT, gastrointestinal, dermatologic, urinary,
infectious, allergic, neurologic, musculoskeletal, and endocrine presentations with emphasis on red flags and primary-care
clinical reasoning. Clinical note: study material supports review and does not replace patient-specific clinical judgment.
Focused Common Illnesses Review
A 3-year-old has rhinorrhea, cough, low-grade fever, and normal lung findings for 2 days.
1 Which management is most appropriate?
A Supportive care with fluids, nasal saline, and symptom monitoring
B Immediate broad-spectrum antibiotics
C Routine chest CT
D Oral corticosteroids for every cold
Answer: A. Supportive care with fluids, nasal saline, and symptom monitoring
Explanation: Most uncomplicated viral upper respiratory infections improve with supportive care. Antibiotics do not shorten
viral illness and unnecessary use contributes to adverse effects and resistance.
A child with a viral upper respiratory infection develops ear pain. Which otoscopic finding
2 most strongly supports acute otitis media?
A A normal translucent tympanic membrane
B Moderate to severe bulging of the tympanic membrane with middle-ear effusion
C A small amount of cerumen
D Mild ear-canal itching without middle-ear findings
Answer: B. Moderate to severe bulging of the tympanic membrane with middle-ear effusion
Explanation: Acute otitis media is supported by clear evidence of middle-ear effusion plus acute inflammation, especially a
bulging tympanic membrane. Ear pain alone is not enough to establish the diagnosis.
A school-age child has fever, sore throat, tonsillar exudates, tender anterior cervical
3 nodes, and no cough. What is the best next step when group A streptococcal pharyngitis
is suspected?
A Assume the illness is viral and never test
B Start antibiotics for every sore throat
C Perform appropriate streptococcal testing before antibiotic treatment when indicated
D Order an abdominal ultrasound
Answer: C. Perform appropriate streptococcal testing before antibiotic treatment when indicated
Explanation: Clinical features can raise suspicion for group A streptococcal pharyngitis, but testing helps distinguish it from
viral causes. Antibiotics are used when streptococcal infection is confirmed or otherwise managed according to accepted
testing guidance.
NR602 * Common Pediatric Illnesses * 100 Questions Page 2
, NR602 Common Pediatric Illnesses
100 original questions with the answer and explanation immediately after every question.
A 2-year-old has a barking cough and inspiratory stridor at rest. Which finding makes
4 urgent evaluation most appropriate?
A Mild hoarseness only
B Cough that improves when calm
C Clear nasal drainage
D Stridor at rest with retractions or respiratory distress
Answer: D. Stridor at rest with retractions or respiratory distress
Explanation: Croup can range from mild to severe. Stridor at rest, retractions, cyanosis, fatigue, or other signs of respiratory
distress indicate more significant upper-airway obstruction and require prompt assessment.
Which finding is most typical of bronchiolitis in an infant?
5
A Viral prodrome followed by tachypnea, wheezing or crackles, and increased work of breathing
B Sudden unilateral leg swelling
C Isolated painful urination
D Chronic painless jaundice
Answer: A. Viral prodrome followed by tachypnea, wheezing or crackles, and increased work of
breathing
Explanation: Bronchiolitis commonly begins with upper-respiratory symptoms and progresses to lower-airway findings such as
wheezing, crackles, tachypnea, and increased work of breathing, especially in infants.
Which management principle is most appropriate for uncomplicated bronchiolitis?
6
A Routine antibiotics for all infants
B Supportive care focused on oxygenation, hydration, and nasal suctioning as needed
C Routine daily chest radiographs
D Long-term inhaled corticosteroids for every case
Answer: B. Supportive care focused on oxygenation, hydration, and nasal suctioning as needed
Explanation: Bronchiolitis is usually viral, so management is primarily supportive. Oxygen, hydration support, and gentle nasal
suctioning are used according to clinical need rather than routine antibiotics or unnecessary imaging.
A child with asthma is using a short-acting bronchodilator more often and waking at
7 night with cough. What does this pattern suggest?
A Excellent asthma control
B No need to reassess treatment
C Poor control requiring reassessment of triggers, technique, adherence, and controller therapy
D Asthma has permanently resolved
Answer: C. Poor control requiring reassessment of triggers, technique, adherence, and controller
therapy
Explanation: Frequent reliever use and nighttime symptoms are markers of inadequate asthma control. The clinician should
reassess severity, adherence, inhaler technique, triggers, and the need for appropriate controller treatment.
NR602 * Common Pediatric Illnesses * 100 Questions Page 3
NR602
Common Pediatric Illnesses
100-Question Focused Practice Test
Respiratory, ENT, gastrointestinal, skin, urinary, infectious, allergic, neurologic, and musculoskeletal conditions
commonly seen in pediatric primary care.
100 A-D 100
Practice Questions Multiple Choice Immediate Explanations
Original study and revision material * Clean print-ready format
, NR602 Common Pediatric Illnesses
100 original questions with the answer and explanation immediately after every question.
Instructions: Select the best answer for each question. The correct answer and detailed explanation appear immediately
after every item. Questions are original and cover common respiratory, ENT, gastrointestinal, dermatologic, urinary,
infectious, allergic, neurologic, musculoskeletal, and endocrine presentations with emphasis on red flags and primary-care
clinical reasoning. Clinical note: study material supports review and does not replace patient-specific clinical judgment.
Focused Common Illnesses Review
A 3-year-old has rhinorrhea, cough, low-grade fever, and normal lung findings for 2 days.
1 Which management is most appropriate?
A Supportive care with fluids, nasal saline, and symptom monitoring
B Immediate broad-spectrum antibiotics
C Routine chest CT
D Oral corticosteroids for every cold
Answer: A. Supportive care with fluids, nasal saline, and symptom monitoring
Explanation: Most uncomplicated viral upper respiratory infections improve with supportive care. Antibiotics do not shorten
viral illness and unnecessary use contributes to adverse effects and resistance.
A child with a viral upper respiratory infection develops ear pain. Which otoscopic finding
2 most strongly supports acute otitis media?
A A normal translucent tympanic membrane
B Moderate to severe bulging of the tympanic membrane with middle-ear effusion
C A small amount of cerumen
D Mild ear-canal itching without middle-ear findings
Answer: B. Moderate to severe bulging of the tympanic membrane with middle-ear effusion
Explanation: Acute otitis media is supported by clear evidence of middle-ear effusion plus acute inflammation, especially a
bulging tympanic membrane. Ear pain alone is not enough to establish the diagnosis.
A school-age child has fever, sore throat, tonsillar exudates, tender anterior cervical
3 nodes, and no cough. What is the best next step when group A streptococcal pharyngitis
is suspected?
A Assume the illness is viral and never test
B Start antibiotics for every sore throat
C Perform appropriate streptococcal testing before antibiotic treatment when indicated
D Order an abdominal ultrasound
Answer: C. Perform appropriate streptococcal testing before antibiotic treatment when indicated
Explanation: Clinical features can raise suspicion for group A streptococcal pharyngitis, but testing helps distinguish it from
viral causes. Antibiotics are used when streptococcal infection is confirmed or otherwise managed according to accepted
testing guidance.
NR602 * Common Pediatric Illnesses * 100 Questions Page 2
, NR602 Common Pediatric Illnesses
100 original questions with the answer and explanation immediately after every question.
A 2-year-old has a barking cough and inspiratory stridor at rest. Which finding makes
4 urgent evaluation most appropriate?
A Mild hoarseness only
B Cough that improves when calm
C Clear nasal drainage
D Stridor at rest with retractions or respiratory distress
Answer: D. Stridor at rest with retractions or respiratory distress
Explanation: Croup can range from mild to severe. Stridor at rest, retractions, cyanosis, fatigue, or other signs of respiratory
distress indicate more significant upper-airway obstruction and require prompt assessment.
Which finding is most typical of bronchiolitis in an infant?
5
A Viral prodrome followed by tachypnea, wheezing or crackles, and increased work of breathing
B Sudden unilateral leg swelling
C Isolated painful urination
D Chronic painless jaundice
Answer: A. Viral prodrome followed by tachypnea, wheezing or crackles, and increased work of
breathing
Explanation: Bronchiolitis commonly begins with upper-respiratory symptoms and progresses to lower-airway findings such as
wheezing, crackles, tachypnea, and increased work of breathing, especially in infants.
Which management principle is most appropriate for uncomplicated bronchiolitis?
6
A Routine antibiotics for all infants
B Supportive care focused on oxygenation, hydration, and nasal suctioning as needed
C Routine daily chest radiographs
D Long-term inhaled corticosteroids for every case
Answer: B. Supportive care focused on oxygenation, hydration, and nasal suctioning as needed
Explanation: Bronchiolitis is usually viral, so management is primarily supportive. Oxygen, hydration support, and gentle nasal
suctioning are used according to clinical need rather than routine antibiotics or unnecessary imaging.
A child with asthma is using a short-acting bronchodilator more often and waking at
7 night with cough. What does this pattern suggest?
A Excellent asthma control
B No need to reassess treatment
C Poor control requiring reassessment of triggers, technique, adherence, and controller therapy
D Asthma has permanently resolved
Answer: C. Poor control requiring reassessment of triggers, technique, adherence, and controller
therapy
Explanation: Frequent reliever use and nighttime symptoms are markers of inadequate asthma control. The clinician should
reassess severity, adherence, inhaler technique, triggers, and the need for appropriate controller treatment.
NR602 * Common Pediatric Illnesses * 100 Questions Page 3
