PN Pediatric
See correct answers immediately with detailed explanations after each question.
Answer all questions, then review your results with feedback at the end.
Timed simulation that mimics real exam conditions. No feedback until completion.
Below are sample questions from this exam to help you understand the content and format.
Q1: A nurse is preparing to assist with the administration of scheduled medications for a school-age child.
💠 The child's potassium level is critically elevated at 6.2 mEq/L, far above the normal range (3.4–4.7 mEq/L).
💠 Administering potassium-containing IV fluids would exacerbate hyperkalemia, increasing the risk of fatal cardiac arrhythmias.
💠 In cystic fibrosis, electrolyte imbalances are common, but careful management of potassium is crucial.
💠 Priority is to avoid any source of additional potassium until serum levels are corrected and stabilized.
💠 The nurse must immediately notify the provider and advocate for a potassium-free IV solution adjustment.
Q2: A nurse in an emergency department is assisting in the care of a 13-year- old adolescent.
💠 A child life specialist is trained to help children and families cope with serious illness and can guide age-appropriate communication about diagnoses.
💠 Adolescents benefit from honest but developmentally appropriate information about their condition to build trust and coping strategies.
💠 Reinforcing teaching to the parent helps them understand that adolescents may experience a range of emotional responses such as anger, fear, sadness, or even denial.
💠 Supporting emotional openness, rather than avoidance, encourages healthier psychological adjustment for the adolescent.
💠 Initiating supportive services early promotes family-centered, compassionate care during a crisis.
Q3: A nurse in a clinic is assisting with the care of a 3-year-old toddler.
💠 Barking, nonproductive cough is hallmark for acute laryngotracheobronchitis (croup), not typical for pneumonia which usually has a productive cough.
💠 Fever can be present in both croup and pneumonia, but in croup, it tends to be low-grade compared to pneumonia.
💠 Irritability can occur in both due to discomfort from respiratory distress or infection.
💠 Inspiratory stridor is specific to airway obstruction seen in croup (laryngotracheobronchitis) and is not characteristic of pneumonia, which affects the lower lungs.
Q4: A nurse is assisting with the care of a 15-year-old adolescent who has Streptococcus pneumonia.
💠 A respiratory rate of 32/min is improved compared to initial 36/min, showing respiratory improvement.
💠 Barrel chest is a chronic finding of cystic fibrosis, unrelated to acute pneumonia worsening.
💠 Steatorrhea (fatty stools) is due to pancreatic insufficiency in cystic fibrosis, not acute pneumonia.
💠 A WBC count drop to 17,000/mm³ from 22,000/mm³ indicates a decrease in infection severity.
💠 Improved oxygen saturation (95% on lower O₂) shows better lung function.
💠 Hemoptysis of 300 mL indicates severe airway bleeding, a critical worsening complication.
Q5: A nurse is caring for a 15-year-old adolescent who has cellulitis of the left lower calf.
💠 Elevated WBC count (17,000/mm³) signals worsening infection rather than recovery.
💠 Persistent high fever (38.8°C) also indicates ongoing systemic inflammatory response.
💠 Warmth and redness spreading suggest cellulitis is progressing, a worsening sign.
💠 Itching in the antecubital space is unrelated to the left calf cellulitis and could be from another benign cause (like dry skin or allergies).
💠 Improved weight-bearing ability suggests pain is decreasing and there’s some functional recovery, indicating local improvement.
