NSG 3600
CHILDREN'S HEALTH / PEDIATRIC NURSING
NSG 3600 Nursing Practice: Children’s Health Exam 3
UPDATE
50 Multiple-Choice Questions
Complete Answers with Detailed Rationales
Aligned with Nursing & Pharmacology Standards
Galen College of Nursing
For academic study and exam review • Verify with current course materials
,NSG 3600 Nursing Practice Children s Health Exam 3 | 2026/2027
How to Use This Review
This comprehensive exam review contains high-yield multiple-choice questions. Each item includes the correct answer
and an expanded rationale explaining the underlying principle, why the correct option is preferred, and why distractors are
incorrect. Study tip: Attempt each question before reading the answer, then carefully review the rationale.
Page 2
, NSG 3600 Nursing Practice Children s Health Exam 3 | 2026/2027
Question 1
A 3-year-old child is admitted with a diagnosis of acute epiglottitis. Which nursing intervention is the absolute priority?
A. Obtain a throat culture to identify the causative organism.
B. Prepare for immediate endotracheal intubation or tracheostomy.
C. Initiate an intravenous line for antibiotic administration.
D. Apply warm compresses to the neck to reduce swelling.
Answer: B
Rationale
Acute epiglottitis is a medical emergency due to rapid airway obstruction. Airway management is the priority. Throat cultures
are contraindicated as they can trigger laryngospasm. Understanding this concept is essential for safe clinical
decision-making. Incorrect choices often reflect common misconceptions. Always link assessment findings to the primary
process and anticipated complications.
Question 2
A mother of an infant with Tetralogy of Fallot notes the baby becomes blue and gasps for air when crying. What is the
nurse’s first action?
A. Administer 100% oxygen via a non-rebreather mask.
B. Notify the pediatric cardiologist immediately.
C. Prepare a dose of morphine sulfate.
D. Place the infant in a knee-chest position.
Answer: D
Rationale
The knee-chest position increases systemic vascular resistance, which reduces the right-to-left shunt and improves pulmonary
blood flow during a ‘Tet spell’. Understanding this concept is essential for safe clinical decision-making. Incorrect choices often
reflect common misconceptions. Always link assessment findings to the primary process and anticipated complications.
Question 3
A 6-week-old infant presents with projectile, non-bilious vomiting after feedings and a palpable olive-shaped mass in the
epigastrium. The nurse suspects:
A. Intussusception
B. Gastroesophageal reflux
C. Hirschsprung disease
D. Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis
Answer: D
Rationale
Projectile vomiting and an olive-shaped mass are classic clinical manifestations of pyloric stenosis, caused by hypertrophy of
the pyloric sphincter. Understanding this concept is essential for safe clinical decision-making. Incorrect choices often reflect
common misconceptions. Always link assessment findings to the primary process and anticipated complications.
Page 3
CHILDREN'S HEALTH / PEDIATRIC NURSING
NSG 3600 Nursing Practice: Children’s Health Exam 3
UPDATE
50 Multiple-Choice Questions
Complete Answers with Detailed Rationales
Aligned with Nursing & Pharmacology Standards
Galen College of Nursing
For academic study and exam review • Verify with current course materials
,NSG 3600 Nursing Practice Children s Health Exam 3 | 2026/2027
How to Use This Review
This comprehensive exam review contains high-yield multiple-choice questions. Each item includes the correct answer
and an expanded rationale explaining the underlying principle, why the correct option is preferred, and why distractors are
incorrect. Study tip: Attempt each question before reading the answer, then carefully review the rationale.
Page 2
, NSG 3600 Nursing Practice Children s Health Exam 3 | 2026/2027
Question 1
A 3-year-old child is admitted with a diagnosis of acute epiglottitis. Which nursing intervention is the absolute priority?
A. Obtain a throat culture to identify the causative organism.
B. Prepare for immediate endotracheal intubation or tracheostomy.
C. Initiate an intravenous line for antibiotic administration.
D. Apply warm compresses to the neck to reduce swelling.
Answer: B
Rationale
Acute epiglottitis is a medical emergency due to rapid airway obstruction. Airway management is the priority. Throat cultures
are contraindicated as they can trigger laryngospasm. Understanding this concept is essential for safe clinical
decision-making. Incorrect choices often reflect common misconceptions. Always link assessment findings to the primary
process and anticipated complications.
Question 2
A mother of an infant with Tetralogy of Fallot notes the baby becomes blue and gasps for air when crying. What is the
nurse’s first action?
A. Administer 100% oxygen via a non-rebreather mask.
B. Notify the pediatric cardiologist immediately.
C. Prepare a dose of morphine sulfate.
D. Place the infant in a knee-chest position.
Answer: D
Rationale
The knee-chest position increases systemic vascular resistance, which reduces the right-to-left shunt and improves pulmonary
blood flow during a ‘Tet spell’. Understanding this concept is essential for safe clinical decision-making. Incorrect choices often
reflect common misconceptions. Always link assessment findings to the primary process and anticipated complications.
Question 3
A 6-week-old infant presents with projectile, non-bilious vomiting after feedings and a palpable olive-shaped mass in the
epigastrium. The nurse suspects:
A. Intussusception
B. Gastroesophageal reflux
C. Hirschsprung disease
D. Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis
Answer: D
Rationale
Projectile vomiting and an olive-shaped mass are classic clinical manifestations of pyloric stenosis, caused by hypertrophy of
the pyloric sphincter. Understanding this concept is essential for safe clinical decision-making. Incorrect choices often reflect
common misconceptions. Always link assessment findings to the primary process and anticipated complications.
Page 3
