ATI PEDS PROCTORED EXAM REAL EXAM 2025/2026 | ALL QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS | GRADED A+ | VERIFIED ANSWERS |
UPDATED VERSION
A nurse is planning care for a child who has severe diarrhea. Which of the following actions is
the nurse's priority?
A) Assess fluid balance.
B) Administer an antidiarrheal medication.
C) Encourage a high-fiber diet.
D) Obtain a stool sample for culture.
E) Provide toys for distraction.
Correct Answer: A) Assess fluid balance.
Rationale: Severe diarrhea can lead to rapid dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, which
are life-threatening conditions in children. Therefore, the priority nursing action is to assess
the child's fluid and electrolyte status by monitoring intake and output, weight, skin turgor,
and vital signs.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a toddler whose parent states that the child has a mass in his abdominal
area and his urine is a pink color. Which of the following actions is the nurse's priority?
A) Prepare the child for an abdominal ultrasound.
B) Obtain a urine sample for analysis.
C) Instruct the parent to avoid pressing on the abdominal area.
D) Palpate the child's abdomen to determine the size of the mass.
E) Ask the parent about the child's recent dietary intake.
Correct Answer: C) Instruct the parent to avoid pressing on the abdominal area.
Rationale: This presentation is classic for a Wilms' tumor (nephroblastoma), a common
childhood kidney cancer. The priority is to avoid palpating the abdomen, as this can cause the
encapsulated tumor to rupture and spread cancer cells throughout the abdomen. A sign
should be placed on the bed to this effect.
,Question 3
A nurse is caring for a child who has acute glomerulonephritis. Which of the following actions is
the nurse's priority?
A) Check the child's weight daily.
B) Encourage a diet high in protein.
C) Administer antibiotics as prescribed.
D) Promote frequent ambulation.
E) Maintain the child on strict bed rest.
Correct Answer: A) Check the child's weight daily.
Rationale: Acute glomerulonephritis causes damage to the glomeruli, leading to fluid
retention, edema, and hypertension. Daily weights are the most sensitive indicator of fluid
balance. Monitoring weight is the priority for detecting fluid overload, which can lead to
severe complications like hypertensive encephalopathy.
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a child with a suspected diagnosis of bacterial meningitis. Which of the
following is the nurse's priority action?
A) Place the child in a well-lit room.
B) Administer antibiotics as soon as they are available.
C) Obtain a lumbar puncture for CSF analysis.
D) Keep the child NPO.
E) Administer an antipyretic for fever.
Correct Answer: B) Administer antibiotics as soon as they are available.
Rationale: Bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency with a high risk of morbidity and
mortality. After blood cultures are obtained, the priority is to start broad-spectrum
intravenous antibiotics immediately to treat the infection and prevent neurologic damage.
Delaying antibiotics can lead to a poorer outcome.
Question 5
A nurse is collecting data from an adolescent. Which of the following represents the greatest
,risk for suicide?
A) Low socioeconomic status
B) History of chronic illness
C) Active psychiatric disorder
D) Being an only child
E) Recent breakup with a romantic partner
Correct Answer: C) Active psychiatric disorder
Rationale: The presence of an active psychiatric disorder, particularly depression, bipolar
disorder, or a substance use disorder, is the single greatest risk factor for suicide in
adolescents.
Question 6
A nurse is collecting data from an infant who has acute otitis media. The nurse should expect
which of the following findings?
A) Tugging on the affected ear lobe
B) Clear drainage from the affected ear
C) A low-grade fever
D) Decreased appetite
E) Reports of headache
Correct Answer: A) Tugging on the affected ear lobe
Rationale: Infants and nonverbal children often manifest the pain from a middle ear infection
by pulling or tugging on the affected ear. This is a classic sign of otitis media.
Question 7
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a parent of an infant who is to undergo the initial surgery to
treat Hirschsprung's disease. Which statement by the parent indicates an understanding of the
goal of the surgery?
A) "The surgery will connect the nerves to the affected part of the colon."
B) "My baby will have a permanent colostomy after this surgery."
C) "I'm glad that the ostomy is only temporary."
, D) "This surgery will remove the entire colon to prevent problems."
E) "The doctor will stretch the colon to make it work better."
Correct Answer: C) "I'm glad that the ostomy is only temporary."
Rationale: The initial surgical treatment for Hirschsprung's disease is typically a two-stage
procedure. The first stage involves removing the aganglionic portion of the bowel and creating
a temporary ostomy to allow the bowel to rest and heal. The second stage, performed
months later, involves pulling the healthy bowel through and anastomosing it to the rectum,
closing the ostomy.
Question 8
A nurse is caring for an infant who is 1 day postoperative following surgical repair of a cleft lip.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A) Keep the infant NPO for 24 hours.
B) Apply an antibiotic ointment to the suture site.
C) Place the infant in a prone position.
D) Clean the suture line with a sterile saline-soaked cotton-tipped applicator.
E) Use a pacifier to soothe the infant.
Correct Answer: B) Apply an antibiotic ointment to the suture site.
Rationale: Postoperative care for a cleft lip repair often includes applying a thin layer of
antibiotic ointment to the suture line to prevent infection and keep the incision moist. Prone
positioning and pacifiers should be avoided to protect the suture line.
Question 9
A nurse is reinforcing discharge instructions with a parent of a child who has cystic fibrosis.
Which statement by the parent indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A) "I will limit my child's physical activity to conserve energy."
B) "I will make sure my child washes her hands before eating."
C) "I will restrict the amount of salt in my child's diet."
D) "My child will need to be on a low-fat diet."
E) "I will give the pancreatic enzymes on an empty stomach."
AND CORRECT ANSWERS | GRADED A+ | VERIFIED ANSWERS |
UPDATED VERSION
A nurse is planning care for a child who has severe diarrhea. Which of the following actions is
the nurse's priority?
A) Assess fluid balance.
B) Administer an antidiarrheal medication.
C) Encourage a high-fiber diet.
D) Obtain a stool sample for culture.
E) Provide toys for distraction.
Correct Answer: A) Assess fluid balance.
Rationale: Severe diarrhea can lead to rapid dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, which
are life-threatening conditions in children. Therefore, the priority nursing action is to assess
the child's fluid and electrolyte status by monitoring intake and output, weight, skin turgor,
and vital signs.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a toddler whose parent states that the child has a mass in his abdominal
area and his urine is a pink color. Which of the following actions is the nurse's priority?
A) Prepare the child for an abdominal ultrasound.
B) Obtain a urine sample for analysis.
C) Instruct the parent to avoid pressing on the abdominal area.
D) Palpate the child's abdomen to determine the size of the mass.
E) Ask the parent about the child's recent dietary intake.
Correct Answer: C) Instruct the parent to avoid pressing on the abdominal area.
Rationale: This presentation is classic for a Wilms' tumor (nephroblastoma), a common
childhood kidney cancer. The priority is to avoid palpating the abdomen, as this can cause the
encapsulated tumor to rupture and spread cancer cells throughout the abdomen. A sign
should be placed on the bed to this effect.
,Question 3
A nurse is caring for a child who has acute glomerulonephritis. Which of the following actions is
the nurse's priority?
A) Check the child's weight daily.
B) Encourage a diet high in protein.
C) Administer antibiotics as prescribed.
D) Promote frequent ambulation.
E) Maintain the child on strict bed rest.
Correct Answer: A) Check the child's weight daily.
Rationale: Acute glomerulonephritis causes damage to the glomeruli, leading to fluid
retention, edema, and hypertension. Daily weights are the most sensitive indicator of fluid
balance. Monitoring weight is the priority for detecting fluid overload, which can lead to
severe complications like hypertensive encephalopathy.
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a child with a suspected diagnosis of bacterial meningitis. Which of the
following is the nurse's priority action?
A) Place the child in a well-lit room.
B) Administer antibiotics as soon as they are available.
C) Obtain a lumbar puncture for CSF analysis.
D) Keep the child NPO.
E) Administer an antipyretic for fever.
Correct Answer: B) Administer antibiotics as soon as they are available.
Rationale: Bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency with a high risk of morbidity and
mortality. After blood cultures are obtained, the priority is to start broad-spectrum
intravenous antibiotics immediately to treat the infection and prevent neurologic damage.
Delaying antibiotics can lead to a poorer outcome.
Question 5
A nurse is collecting data from an adolescent. Which of the following represents the greatest
,risk for suicide?
A) Low socioeconomic status
B) History of chronic illness
C) Active psychiatric disorder
D) Being an only child
E) Recent breakup with a romantic partner
Correct Answer: C) Active psychiatric disorder
Rationale: The presence of an active psychiatric disorder, particularly depression, bipolar
disorder, or a substance use disorder, is the single greatest risk factor for suicide in
adolescents.
Question 6
A nurse is collecting data from an infant who has acute otitis media. The nurse should expect
which of the following findings?
A) Tugging on the affected ear lobe
B) Clear drainage from the affected ear
C) A low-grade fever
D) Decreased appetite
E) Reports of headache
Correct Answer: A) Tugging on the affected ear lobe
Rationale: Infants and nonverbal children often manifest the pain from a middle ear infection
by pulling or tugging on the affected ear. This is a classic sign of otitis media.
Question 7
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a parent of an infant who is to undergo the initial surgery to
treat Hirschsprung's disease. Which statement by the parent indicates an understanding of the
goal of the surgery?
A) "The surgery will connect the nerves to the affected part of the colon."
B) "My baby will have a permanent colostomy after this surgery."
C) "I'm glad that the ostomy is only temporary."
, D) "This surgery will remove the entire colon to prevent problems."
E) "The doctor will stretch the colon to make it work better."
Correct Answer: C) "I'm glad that the ostomy is only temporary."
Rationale: The initial surgical treatment for Hirschsprung's disease is typically a two-stage
procedure. The first stage involves removing the aganglionic portion of the bowel and creating
a temporary ostomy to allow the bowel to rest and heal. The second stage, performed
months later, involves pulling the healthy bowel through and anastomosing it to the rectum,
closing the ostomy.
Question 8
A nurse is caring for an infant who is 1 day postoperative following surgical repair of a cleft lip.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A) Keep the infant NPO for 24 hours.
B) Apply an antibiotic ointment to the suture site.
C) Place the infant in a prone position.
D) Clean the suture line with a sterile saline-soaked cotton-tipped applicator.
E) Use a pacifier to soothe the infant.
Correct Answer: B) Apply an antibiotic ointment to the suture site.
Rationale: Postoperative care for a cleft lip repair often includes applying a thin layer of
antibiotic ointment to the suture line to prevent infection and keep the incision moist. Prone
positioning and pacifiers should be avoided to protect the suture line.
Question 9
A nurse is reinforcing discharge instructions with a parent of a child who has cystic fibrosis.
Which statement by the parent indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A) "I will limit my child's physical activity to conserve energy."
B) "I will make sure my child washes her hands before eating."
C) "I will restrict the amount of salt in my child's diet."
D) "My child will need to be on a low-fat diet."
E) "I will give the pancreatic enzymes on an empty stomach."
