ATI Pediatric Exam Test Bank 300

ATI Pediatric Exam Test Bank | 300+ Verified Questions and Correct Answers | Includes NCLEX Pediatric Content | A+ Graded | Best ATI Peds Study Document | 2025/2026 Edition

Section 1: Introduction

This document includes over 300 verified questions and 100% correct answers from the ATI Pediatrics Exam Test Bank, fully aligned with the latest NCLEX and ATI exam standards for 2025/2026. It covers all essential pediatric nursing topics, including growth and development, immunizations, pediatric medication administration, disease-specific care, communication with children and families, and safety. Graded A+ and carefully structured for comprehensive review, this is the ultimate resource for excelling in ATI Pediatrics and NCLEX pediatric sections.

Section 2: Exam Questions and Answers

• A 4-year-old child is admitted with suspected bacterial meningitis. Which action

should the nurse prioritize?

• Administer oral antibiotics
• Initiate seizure precautions
• Encourage fluid intake
• Perform a developmental assessment

Correct Answer: B) Initiate seizure precautions

Rationale: Bacterial meningitis can cause increased intracranial pressure, leading to seizures. Seizure precautions are a priority to ensure safety. Oral antibiotics (A) are inappropriate as IV antibiotics are required, fluids (C) are managed cautiously, and developmental assessment (D) is secondary.

• A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant’s developmental milestones. Which

finding is expected?

• Walks with support
• Rolls from back to front
• Uses a pincer grasp
• Says two-word phrases

Correct Answer: B) Rolls from back to front

Rationale: At 6 months, infants typically roll over in both directions. Walking with support (A) occurs around 12 months, pincer grasp (C) at 9–12 months, and two-word phrases (D) at 2 years.

• A 2-year-old is prescribed amoxicillin for otitis media. What is the most

important teaching point for the parents?

• Give the medication with food to reduce GI upset
• Stop the medication if the child improves 1 / 4

• Administer only at bedtime
• Dilute with juice to improve taste

Correct Answer: A) Give the medication with food to reduce GI upset

Rationale: Amoxicillin can cause GI upset, which is minimized by taking with food.Completing the full course (B), avoiding bedtime-only dosing (C), and not diluting with juice (D) are critical to ensure efficacy.

• A nurse is caring for a child with sickle cell anemia in vaso-occlusive crisis.

Which intervention is priority?

• Administer oxygen
• Provide IV hydration
• Apply warm compresses
• Encourage ambulation

Correct Answer: B) Provide IV hydration

Rationale: IV hydration prevents further sickling and improves circulation in vaso- occlusive crisis. Oxygen (A) is indicated for hypoxia, warm compresses (C) are secondary, and ambulation (D) may worsen pain.

• A 10-year-old with type 1 diabetes mellitus has a blood glucose of 350 mg/dL.

What is the nurse’s first action?

• Administer regular insulin per sliding scale
• Encourage the child to drink water
• Notify the healthcare provider
• Assess for signs of ketoacidosis

Correct Answer: D) Assess for signs of ketoacidosis

Rationale: Hyperglycemia (350 mg/dL) may indicate diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

Assessment for symptoms (e.g., fruity breath, Kussmaul respirations) is the priority before insulin (A), fluids (B), or notification (C).

• A nurse is preparing to administer the MMR vaccine to a 12-month-old. Which

action is essential?

• Administer in the deltoid muscle
• Check for egg allergies
• Use a 22-gauge needle
• Give orally with milk

Correct Answer: B) Check for egg allergies

Rationale: MMR vaccine is contraindicated in children with severe egg allergies due to its egg-based components. It is given subcutaneously in the thigh (not deltoid, A), with a 25-gauge needle (C), and is not oral (D).

• A 3-year-old with asthma is experiencing wheezing. Which medication should

the nurse anticipate?

• Albuterol via nebulizer
• Prednisone IV
• Montelukast orally
• Epinephrine IM

Correct Answer: A) Albuterol via nebulizer

Rationale: Albuterol, a short-acting beta-agonist, is the first-line treatment for acute asthma exacerbations to relieve bronchospasm. Prednisone (B) and montelukast (C) are for long-term control, and epinephrine (D) is for anaphylaxis.

• A nurse is teaching parents about safety for a 9-month-old infant. Which

recommendation is most important?

• Use a front-facing car seat
• Keep small objects out of reach 2 / 4

• Allow the infant to sleep with a bottle
• Place the crib near a window

Correct Answer: B) Keep small objects out of reach

Rationale: Choking is a major risk at 9 months due to oral exploration. Rear-facing car seats (A), no bottles in bed (C), and safe crib placement (D) are important but less immediate.

• A 5-year-old with cystic fibrosis is admitted with a respiratory infection. Which

intervention is priority?

• Administer pancreatic enzymes
• Perform chest physiotherapy
• Start IV antibiotics
• Encourage a high-fat diet

Correct Answer: C) Start IV antibiotics

Rationale: Respiratory infections in cystic fibrosis require prompt IV antibiotics to prevent lung damage. Chest physiotherapy (B), enzymes (A), and diet (D) are important but secondary.

• A nurse is assessing a newborn for congenital hip dysplasia. Which finding is

concerning?

• Symmetrical gluteal folds
• Positive Ortolani sign
• Equal leg lengths
• Full range of motion

Correct Answer: B) Positive Ortolani sign

Rationale: A positive Ortolani sign (click with hip abduction) indicates hip dysplasia.Symmetrical folds (A), equal lengths (C), and full ROM (D) are normal findings.

• A 7-year-old with a femur fracture is in traction. Which nursing action is

essential?

• Check pin sites for infection
• Encourage active exercise
• Remove weights during baths
• Apply cold compresses

Correct Answer: A) Check pin sites for infection

Rationale: Pin site infections are a serious complication in traction. Exercise (B) is limited, weights remain in place (C), and cold compresses (D) are not indicated.

• A 1-year-old is diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia. Which food should the

nurse recommend?

• Whole milk
• Fortified cereal
• Applesauce
• Carrot sticks

Correct Answer: B) Fortified cereal

Rationale: Fortified cereal is high in iron, addressing anemia. Whole milk (A) can worsen iron absorption, and applesauce (C) and carrots (D) are low in iron.

• A nurse is communicating with a 4-year-old during a procedure. Which

approach is best?

• Use medical terminology
• Explain in simple terms
• Avoid eye contact
• Speak only to the parent

Correct Answer: B) Explain in simple terms 3 / 4

Rationale: Simple explanations reduce fear in preschoolers. Medical terms (A),

avoiding eye contact (C), or excluding the child (D) hinder trust and understanding.

• A 6-year-old with leukemia is receiving chemotherapy. Which laboratory value

requires immediate action?

• Hemoglobin 10 g/dL
• Absolute neutrophil count 400/mm³
• Platelet count 100,000/mm³
• Serum potassium 4.0 mEq/L

Correct Answer: B) Absolute neutrophil count 400/mm³

Rationale: An ANC of 400/mm³ indicates severe neutropenia, increasing infection risk, requiring immediate precautions. Hemoglobin (A), platelets (C), and potassium (D) are less urgent.

• A newborn is receiving phototherapy for hyperbilirubinemia. Which nursing

action is priority?

• Cover the eyes with patches
• Limit fluid intake
• Keep the infant swaddled
• Apply lotion to the skin

Correct Answer: A) Cover the eyes with patches

Rationale: Eye patches protect the newborn’s retinas from phototherapy light. Fluids are encouraged (B), swaddling is avoided (C), and lotion (D) is contraindicated.

• A 3-month-old is admitted with dehydration. Which assessment finding is most

concerning?

• Heart rate 120 bpm
• Sunken fontanelle
• Urine output 2 mL/kg/hr
• Skin turgor elastic

Correct Answer: B) Sunken fontanelle

Rationale: A sunken fontanelle indicates severe dehydration in infants. Heart rate (A) is normal, urine output (C) is adequate, and elastic turgor (D) is a normal finding.

• A 12-year-old with epilepsy is prescribed phenytoin. Which side effect should the

nurse monitor?

• Gingival hyperplasia
• Weight gain
• Hypotension
• Hypoglycemia

Correct Answer: A) Gingival hyperplasia

Rationale: Phenytoin commonly causes gingival hyperplasia. Weight gain (B),

hypotension (C), and hypoglycemia (D) are not typical side effects.

• A nurse is teaching parents about the DTaP vaccine schedule. When is the first

dose given?

• At birth
• 2 months
• 6 months
• 12 months

Correct Answer: B) 2 months

Rationale: The DTaP vaccine is first administered at 2 months, per CDC guidelines, followed by doses at 4, 6, 15–18 months, and 4–6 years.

• A 5-year-old with a burn injury is prescribed silver sulfadiazine. Which

application technique is correct?

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