ATI PEDIATRICS TEST BANK |
NURSING CARE OF CHILDREN | 2026
TEST BANK QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026
Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Growth and Development
Pediatric Assessment
Health Promotion and Maintenance
Acute and Chronic Illness
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Safety and Infection Control
Psychosocial Integrity
Physiological Adaptation
Introduction
The ATI Nursing Care of Children Proctored Assessment is a comprehensive
examination designed to evaluate the practical nursing student’s mastery of
pediatric nursing concepts and readiness for entry-level practice. The exam
assesses knowledge of growth and development, pediatric assessment
techniques, family-centered care, and the nursing management of common
childhood illnesses. Multiple-choice and scenario-based questions emphasize
clinical judgment, prioritization, and safe decision-making in real-world
pediatric contexts. Success demonstrates the competencies essential for
providing safe, developmentally appropriate nursing care to children and their
families.
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A nurse is caring for a 3-month-old infant who has gastroesophageal
reflux. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Place the infant in a prone position after feedings
B. Feed the infant smaller amounts more frequently
C. Add cereal to the infant’s bottle to thicken the formula
D. Position the infant in a semi-Fowler’s position during feedings
B. Feed the infant smaller amounts more frequently
RATIONALE: Smaller, more frequent feedings help reduce the frequency
of reflux episodes by decreasing the volume in the stomach at one time. Prone
positioning increases the risk of SIDS and is not recommended. Adding cereal
to the bottle is not recommended before 6 months of age. Upright
positioning is used after feedings, not during.
2. A nurse is teaching the parent of a toddler about preventing injuries.
Which of the following statements by the parent indicates
understanding?
A. “I will leave small toys on the floor so my child can play.”
B. “I will keep cleaning products in a cabinet low to the ground.”
C. “I will use a rear-facing car seat until my child is 2 years old.”
D. “I will give my child nuts because they are healthy.”
C. “I will use a rear-facing car seat until my child is 2 years old.”
RATIONALE: Children should ride in a rear-facing car seat until at least 2
years of age or until they reach the maximum weight or height limit for the
seat. Small toys, cleaning products, and nuts can all pose choking or
poisoning hazards for toddlers.
3. A nurse is caring for an adolescent who has type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Which of the following findings requires immediate follow-up?
,A. Blood glucose 150 mg/dL
B. Ketones in the urine
C. Hemoglobin A1c 7%
D. Weight gain of 1 lb in 1 week
B. Ketones in the urine
RATIONALE: The presence of ketones in the urine can indicate diabetic
ketoacidosis (DKA), a serious and potentially life-threatening complication.
This requires immediate follow-up. A blood glucose of 150 mg/dL is slightly
elevated but not immediately dangerous. HbA1c of 7% indicates reasonable
control. Weight gain of 1 lb in a week is not concerning.
4. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant during a well-child visit.
Which developmental milestone would the nurse expect to observe?
A. Sitting without support
B. Walking with assistance
C. Saying two-word phrases
D. Copying a circle
A. Sitting without support
RATIONALE: According to developmental milestones, sitting without
support is expected between 4-7 months. Walking with assistance occurs
around 9-12 months, two-word phrases around 18-24 months, and copying a
circle around 3 years.
5. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a 3-year-old child.
Which action is the nurse’s priority before giving the medication?
A. Check the child’s blood pressure
B. Assess the apical heart rate for 1 full minute
C. Weigh the child
D. Check the child’s temperature
B. Assess the apical heart rate for 1 full minute
, RATIONALE: Before administering digoxin, the nurse must assess the
apical heart rate for 1 full minute. If the heart rate is below 90-110 bpm
(depending on age), the medication should be held and the provider notified
due to risk of digoxin toxicity and bradycardia.
6. A nurse is teaching a parent about introducing solid foods to their 6-
month-old infant. Which food should the nurse recommend as the first
solid food?
A. Rice cereal
B. Cow’s milk
C. Honey
D. Strawberries
A. Rice cereal
RATIONALE: Rice cereal is typically recommended as the first solid food
due to its low allergenic potential and iron fortification. Cow’s milk should
not be introduced before 12 months, honey before 12 months due to botulism
risk, and strawberries are potential allergens introduced later.
7. A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old child who has dehydration. Which
assessment finding would the nurse expect to observe first?
A. Sunken fontanel
B. Decreased urine output
C. Dry mucous membranes
D. Hypotension
C. Dry mucous membranes
RATIONALE: Dry mucous membranes are typically the first sign of
dehydration in toddlers. Sunken fontanels occur with moderate to severe
dehydration, decreased urine output with moderate dehydration, and
hypotension is a late sign of severe dehydration.
NURSING CARE OF CHILDREN | 2026
TEST BANK QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026
Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Growth and Development
Pediatric Assessment
Health Promotion and Maintenance
Acute and Chronic Illness
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Safety and Infection Control
Psychosocial Integrity
Physiological Adaptation
Introduction
The ATI Nursing Care of Children Proctored Assessment is a comprehensive
examination designed to evaluate the practical nursing student’s mastery of
pediatric nursing concepts and readiness for entry-level practice. The exam
assesses knowledge of growth and development, pediatric assessment
techniques, family-centered care, and the nursing management of common
childhood illnesses. Multiple-choice and scenario-based questions emphasize
clinical judgment, prioritization, and safe decision-making in real-world
pediatric contexts. Success demonstrates the competencies essential for
providing safe, developmentally appropriate nursing care to children and their
families.
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A nurse is caring for a 3-month-old infant who has gastroesophageal
reflux. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Place the infant in a prone position after feedings
B. Feed the infant smaller amounts more frequently
C. Add cereal to the infant’s bottle to thicken the formula
D. Position the infant in a semi-Fowler’s position during feedings
B. Feed the infant smaller amounts more frequently
RATIONALE: Smaller, more frequent feedings help reduce the frequency
of reflux episodes by decreasing the volume in the stomach at one time. Prone
positioning increases the risk of SIDS and is not recommended. Adding cereal
to the bottle is not recommended before 6 months of age. Upright
positioning is used after feedings, not during.
2. A nurse is teaching the parent of a toddler about preventing injuries.
Which of the following statements by the parent indicates
understanding?
A. “I will leave small toys on the floor so my child can play.”
B. “I will keep cleaning products in a cabinet low to the ground.”
C. “I will use a rear-facing car seat until my child is 2 years old.”
D. “I will give my child nuts because they are healthy.”
C. “I will use a rear-facing car seat until my child is 2 years old.”
RATIONALE: Children should ride in a rear-facing car seat until at least 2
years of age or until they reach the maximum weight or height limit for the
seat. Small toys, cleaning products, and nuts can all pose choking or
poisoning hazards for toddlers.
3. A nurse is caring for an adolescent who has type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Which of the following findings requires immediate follow-up?
,A. Blood glucose 150 mg/dL
B. Ketones in the urine
C. Hemoglobin A1c 7%
D. Weight gain of 1 lb in 1 week
B. Ketones in the urine
RATIONALE: The presence of ketones in the urine can indicate diabetic
ketoacidosis (DKA), a serious and potentially life-threatening complication.
This requires immediate follow-up. A blood glucose of 150 mg/dL is slightly
elevated but not immediately dangerous. HbA1c of 7% indicates reasonable
control. Weight gain of 1 lb in a week is not concerning.
4. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant during a well-child visit.
Which developmental milestone would the nurse expect to observe?
A. Sitting without support
B. Walking with assistance
C. Saying two-word phrases
D. Copying a circle
A. Sitting without support
RATIONALE: According to developmental milestones, sitting without
support is expected between 4-7 months. Walking with assistance occurs
around 9-12 months, two-word phrases around 18-24 months, and copying a
circle around 3 years.
5. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a 3-year-old child.
Which action is the nurse’s priority before giving the medication?
A. Check the child’s blood pressure
B. Assess the apical heart rate for 1 full minute
C. Weigh the child
D. Check the child’s temperature
B. Assess the apical heart rate for 1 full minute
, RATIONALE: Before administering digoxin, the nurse must assess the
apical heart rate for 1 full minute. If the heart rate is below 90-110 bpm
(depending on age), the medication should be held and the provider notified
due to risk of digoxin toxicity and bradycardia.
6. A nurse is teaching a parent about introducing solid foods to their 6-
month-old infant. Which food should the nurse recommend as the first
solid food?
A. Rice cereal
B. Cow’s milk
C. Honey
D. Strawberries
A. Rice cereal
RATIONALE: Rice cereal is typically recommended as the first solid food
due to its low allergenic potential and iron fortification. Cow’s milk should
not be introduced before 12 months, honey before 12 months due to botulism
risk, and strawberries are potential allergens introduced later.
7. A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old child who has dehydration. Which
assessment finding would the nurse expect to observe first?
A. Sunken fontanel
B. Decreased urine output
C. Dry mucous membranes
D. Hypotension
C. Dry mucous membranes
RATIONALE: Dry mucous membranes are typically the first sign of
dehydration in toddlers. Sunken fontanels occur with moderate to severe
dehydration, decreased urine output with moderate dehydration, and
hypotension is a late sign of severe dehydration.
