The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is a standardized test that aspiring nurses must pass to obtain their nursing license. For those wanting to become a pediatric nurse, the pediatric section is a crucial part of their career goals.
In this article, we will provide you with a list of 10 top pediatric NCLEX questions, from Smart’n’s pediatric test bank questions, that will help you test your knowledge in this category and prepare effectively to improve your chances of passing the nursing license exam in 2023.
Smart’n provides you with more than 2500 NCLEX practice questions, categorized by topic and tailored to your needs. It also tracks your progress and provides you with a clear overview of your performance to help you identify areas of strength and weakness.
Understanding the NCLEX for pediatric nursing
The NCLEX pediatric questions are designed to assess the knowledge, skills, and critical thinking abilities of nurses in providing care to infants, children, and adolescents. The questions evaluate a nurse's ability to make safe and effective decisions in various pediatric healthcare scenarios.
Importance of pediatric NCLEX questions
Pediatric NCLEX questions play a vital role in assessing a nurse's competency and readiness to care for pediatric patients. These questions cover a wide range of topics, including growth and development, pediatric diseases and conditions, medication administration, pediatric nursing procedures, and health promotion and maintenance.
By answering these questions correctly, nurses demonstrate their understanding of pediatric nursing principles and their ability to provide quality care to young patients.
Pediatric NCLEX questions
Here are some pediatric nursing questions from Smart’n’s pediatrics test bank.
Question 1:
A 15-year-old girl is talking with a school nurse about her weight and body image. The girl tells the nurse that she feels fat and has been dieting, even though she does not appear to be overweight at all. Which response from the nurse would be the most appropriate as an intervention for this client?
A. Being fat is unhealthy, but there are worse things. Try to focus on other things instead
B. Tell me about some things that you like about yourself
C. Is your schoolwork suffering or are you having trouble at home?
D. You look beautiful. You are not fat at all
A. Incorrect Answer
Being fat is unhealthy, but there are worse things. Try to focus on other things instead
Rationale: This response minimizes the client's struggle, which is an ineffective way to communicate.
B. Correct Answer
Tell me about some things that you like about yourself
Rationale: Adolescents may develop difficulties accepting weight and appearance. A teen girl may be preoccupied with her body image and weight, often because of peer and media influences. The nurse can best help the client develop a healthy body image by discussing positive aspects of herself.
C. Incorrect Answer
Is your schoolwork suffering or are you having trouble at home?
Rationale: This response does not address the client's issue of an unhealthy body image, but instead changes the topic.
D. Incorrect Answer
You look beautiful. You are not fat at all
Rationale: Complimenting a person who struggles with body image is not an effective way to communicate, as this struggle is often accompanied by a lack of recognition of compliments, and an affinity to negatively perceived comments or interactions.
Question 2:
A nurse is assessing an adolescent client with Down syndrome. Which of the following is a common health problem of children with this condition?
A. Excessive hair growth
B. Tall, wide stature
C. Congenital heart disease
D. Overdeveloped secondary sex characteristics
A. Incorrect Answer
Excessive hair growth
Rationale: The child with Down syndrome is more likely to have sparse hair growth than excessive hair growth.
B. Incorrect Answer
Tall, wide stature
Rationale: A child with Down syndrome is more likely to have a shorter than average height, but also tends to be overweight.
C. Correct Answer
Congenital heart disease
Rationale: Nearly half of children with Down syndrome have congenital heart disease.
D. Incorrect Answer
Overdeveloped secondary sex characteristics
Rationale: Underdeveloped secondary sex characteristics are common. Males born with Down syndrome are infertile.
Question 3:
The parents of a 4-year-old child with cerebral palsy have brought him in for a routine physical exam. The parents ask the nurse about vaccinations for their child and if the child should get the annual flu shot. Which response from the nurse is correct?
A. He should get the flu shot because he can have worse symptoms from influenza compared to other child
B. He should get the flu shot because there is a chance of death from influenza infection
C. He should not get the flu shot because he is at too high risk from his medical condition
D. You should avoid giving him the flu shot. Instead, keep him indoors and practice good hand hygiene
A. Correct Answer
He should get the flu shot because he can have worse symptoms from influenza compared to other child
Rationale: Neurological disorders can worsen the symptoms of influenza. A client with a stable neurological disorder like controlled seizures or cerebral palsy should still be counseled to receive the flu shot.
B. Incorrect Answer
He should get the flu shot because there is a chance of death from influenza infection
Rationale: There is a chance of increased complications for a child with cerebral palsy if the child contracts influenza, but saying the word 'death' to the parents would cause alarm and should be avoided.
C. Incorrect Answer
He should not get the flu shot because he is at too high risk from his medical condition
Rationale: A stable neurological condition is not a contraindication for the flu vaccine.
D. Incorrect Answer
You should avoid giving him the flu shot. Instead, keep him indoors and practice good hand hygiene
Rationale: The client with CP benefits from the flu vaccine.
Question 4:
The parents of a 1-year-old child who has been adopted from Ethiopia ask the nurse about the child’s feelings of grief. The mother tells the nurse, “I do not think she understands the loss at one year old.” Which response from the nurse is correct?
A. A child does not start to feel grief until he is about 3 years old
B. Even infants can feel grief and loss, even without conscious memory at this age
C. The child will not remember this. I would not be concerned with grief
D. You should start counseling with the child now so that the child can talk about this grief later
A. Incorrect Answer
A child does not start to feel grief until he is about 3 years old
Rationale: Grief is ALWAYS felt by the child when they are taken from their natural environment and biological parents, regardless of age.
B. Correct Answer
Even infants can feel grief and loss, even without conscious memory at this age
Rationale: An adopted child may experience feelings of grief and loss when transitioning to a new family. These feelings are often there even if the child is leaving a negative environment or is very young. A 1-year-old child may not have much conscious memory to recall later at an older age, but they can still experience grief because of adoption. The parents should be aware of this and continue to provide support for the grief both now and over time.
C. Incorrect Answer
The child will not remember this. I would not be concerned with grief
Rationale: Grief is ALWAYS felt by the child when they are taken from their natural environment and biological parents, regardless of age.
D. Incorrect Answer
You should start counseling with the child now so that the child can talk about this grief later
Rationale: An infant is not capable of taking part in counseling, but the parents can still be sensitive to the situation and provide stability and love at this young age.
Question 5:
A nurse is giving liquid medication to a two-month-old baby in the pediatrics unit. Which intervention is most appropriate to consider when giving medicine to a child this age?
A. Explain to the child what the medication is for and why it is important
B. Hold the child and talk in soothing tones while giving the medication
C. Ask the parents to hold the child down to administer the medication
D. Be firm when administering the medication or the child will not cooperate
A. Incorrect Answer
Explain to the child what the medication is for and why it is important
Rationale: A two-month-old does not understand the situation, and explaining things to a child this age will not be helpful.
B. Correct Answer
Hold the child and talk in soothing tones while giving the medication
Rationale: A 2-month-old baby may need medication but will not be able to make choices about whether or not she wants the medicine or whether she likes it. When working with an infant of this age, the nurse should provide care and comfort that will most likely soothe the child and keep her from crying. When the baby is calm, the nurse will have an easier time of administering the medication.
C. Incorrect Answer
Ask the parents to hold the child down to administer the medication
Rationale: Holding the child down would be the last resort to get the medication in. Other, less traumatic methods should be attempted first.
D. Incorrect Answer
Be firm when administering the medication or the child will not cooperate
Rationale: Being firm will most likely cause the child to be uncooperative.
Question 6:
A 12-month-old is found to have a moderately elevated blood lead level. Which of the following is the most serious concern for this child?
A. Gastrointestinal bleeding
B. Growth retardation
C. Neurocognitive impairment
D. Severe liver injury
A. Incorrect Answer
Gastrointestinal bleeding
Rationale: Gastrointestinal bleeding is a concern for clients with iron poisoning but has no link to lead toxicity.
B. Incorrect Answer
Growth retardation
Rationale: Although delays in physical growth can result from chronic lead toxicity, the danger of permanent damage to the neurological system is a higher priority, particularly for young children.
C. Correct Answer
Neurocognitive impairment
Rationale: Lead poisoning still occurs in the United States, although not as often as in previous decades. A common source of exposure is lead-based paints found in houses built before 1978 when such paint was banned. Blood lead level (BLL) screenings are recommended at ages 1 and 2, and up to age 6 if not previously tested.
Because lead poisoning particularly affects the neurological system, elevated BLLs (≥5 mcg/dL [0.24 µmol/L]) are dangerous in young children due to the immature development of the brain and nervous system. A mild to moderate increase in BLL can manifest with hyperactivity and impulsiveness; prolonged low-level exposure can cause developmental delays, reading difficulties, and visual-motor issues. Extremely elevated BLLs can lead to permanent cognitive impairment, seizures, blindness, or even death.
D. Incorrect Answer
Severe liver injury
Rationale: Lead poisoning is most threatening to the kidneys and neurological system; liver injury typically does not occur. Severe liver damage is closely associated with acetaminophen overdose or Reye syndrome.
Question 7:
The parent of an 8-year-old client asks the nurse for guidance on how to help the client cope with the recent death of the other parent. When developing a response to the parent, the nurse considers that a school-aged child is most likely to do what?
A. React anxiously to altered daily routines
B. Realize that death eventually affects everyone
C. Think about the religious or spiritual aspects of death
D. Understand that death is permanent but be curious about it
A. Incorrect Answer
React anxiously to altered daily routines
Rationale: Infants (age 1-12 months) and toddlers (age 12-36 months) mostly react to separation from caregivers, both temporary and permanent, because it affects daily routines.
B. Incorrect Answer
Realize that death eventually affects everyone
Rationale: A child will most likely be aware that death affects everyone and also perceive it as evil by age 10-12 years.
C. Incorrect Answer
Think about the religious or spiritual aspects of death
Rationale: Adolescents are most likely to think about the religious and spiritual aspects of death, although this may occur earlier for some children.
D. Correct Answer
Understand that death is permanent but be curious about it
Rationale: Children's beliefs about death
Birth to age 2 - No understanding of death. Sensitive to loss & separation; may be distressed by changes in the environment, caregivers & regular routines.
Age 3-5 - Believes that death is reversible. Thoughts may include magical thinking & fantasy (e.g., they wish that a person would die).
Age 6-9 - Understands the concrete finality of death. Difficulty in perceiving their own death; may be preoccupied with the medical or physical aspects of dying.
Age 10-12 - Understands that death is final & eventually affects everyone Thinks about how a death will affect them personally.
Adolescence - Views death on an adult level. Understands that their own death is inevitable, but it is a difficult concept for them to perceive. Able to think about the spiritual & religious aspects of death.
Understanding a child's perception of illness and death can empower caregivers (e.g., parents) to support the child during the loss of a loved one. A child's developmental stage as well as the caregiver's view of death and relationship with the child will influence coping during bereavement.
The nurse should educate the parent of an 8-year-old client about how to assist with coping based on the knowledge that school-aged children (age 6-12 years) most likely have both a curiosity and fear about the implications of death (eg, the process of dying, funeral services) and understand that death is permanent. Therefore, it is important for the parents to be honest during discussions about death, talk about the lost loved one, and provide anticipatory guidance to reduce fears.
Question 8:
A 5-year-old child is receiving morphine sulfate for pain. Which statement by the caregiver indicates that further teaching is necessary?
A. "I will call the nurse if my child begins to act aggressively."
B. "I'm concerned that my child thinks the pain is punishment."
C. "My child is playing and so does not need pain medication."
D. "The FACES pain scale seems to be working very well."
A. Incorrect Answer
"I will call the nurse if my child begins to act aggressively."
Rationale: Preschool-age children may become physically or verbally aggressive when in pain.
B. Incorrect Answer
"I'm concerned that my child thinks the pain is punishment."
Rationale: The preschool-age child experiences magical thinking and might feel that pain is a punishment for wrongdoing.
C. Correct Answer
"My child is playing and so does not need pain medication."
Rationale: The child who is playing or sleeping might still be experiencing pain but is using distraction as a coping mechanism. This statement by the caregiver indicates that further teaching is needed.
D. Incorrect Answer
"The FACES pain scale seems to be working very well."
Rationale: Age-appropriate pain scales can be used to assess pain in children. The FACES pain rating scale consists of 6 cartoon faces with expressions from no pain to worst pain.
Question 9:
The nurse is teaching a class on the Erikson Stages of childhood. Which of the following correctly describes an infant’s Erikson Stage?
A. Trust versus mistrust
B. Industry versus inferiority
C. Autonomy versus shame and doubt
D. Initiative versus guilt
A. Correct Answer
Trust versus mistrust
Rationale: Infants are dealing with Erikson Stage of trust versus mistrust. During this stage, Erikson states that infants with successful experiences with stability and caring develop trust, and this leads to an ability to possess hope later in life.
B. Incorrect Answer
Industry versus inferiority
Rationale: This stage occurs between the ages of 5 and 12, and involves children becoming competent and receiving recognition from peers and teachers for their initiative. This leads to a sense of competence.
C. Incorrect Answer
Autonomy versus shame and doubt
Rationale: This stage occurs from age 18 months to three years of age and involves becoming independent. The thought is that the child develops self-control without loss of self-esteem, leading to the strength of will.
D. Incorrect Answer
Initiative versus guilt
Rationale: This stage occurs during the early elementary years as children learn to play together. When they are allowed to initiate activities with others and make up games successfully, they learn to lead in life. This develops a sense of purpose.
Question 10:
The nurse is assessing a 24-month-old child. Which of the following findings would the nurse note as abnormal?
A. The child has no interest in lacing her own shoes
B. The child isn't toilet trained
C. The child cannot build a tower of 3 blocks
D. The child doesn't copy circles
A. Incorrect Answer
The child has no interest in lacing her own shoes
Rationale: This is a normal finding for a 24-month-old child.
B. Incorrect Answer
The child isn't toilet trained
Rationale: This is a normal finding for a 24-month-old child.
C. Correct Answer
The child cannot build a tower of 3 blocks
Rationale: At 18 months a child should be able to build a tower of 3 blocks, and at 24 months they should be able to build a tower of about 5-6 blocks.
D. Incorrect Answer
The child doesn't copy circles
Rationale: This is a normal finding for a 24-month-old child.
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Tips for answering pediatric NCLEX questions
When approaching pediatric NCLEX questions, consider the following tips:
Read the question carefully: Understand the context and what the question is asking before selecting an answer.
Eliminate incorrect options: Analyze each answer choice and eliminate those that are clearly incorrect, narrowing down the options.
Apply critical thinking: Use critical thinking skills to analyze the information provided in the question and select the most appropriate answer.
Prioritize safety: Always prioritize the safety and well-being of the pediatric patient when choosing an answer.
Practice time management: Manage your time effectively during the exam to ensure you have ample time to answer all the peds NCLEX questions.
Common challenges in answering pediatric NCLEX questions
Answering pediatric NCLEX questions can pose some challenges. Here are a few common difficulties that nurses may encounter:
The complexity of clinical scenarios: The questions may present complex clinical scenarios, requiring nurses to integrate knowledge from multiple areas.
Age-related developmental differences: Nurses must consider the developmental stage of the child when answering questions, as it impacts the choice of interventions.
Handling emotional content: Pediatric nursing often involves emotional situations. Nurses must balance empathy and professionalism when answering emotionally challenging questions.
Limited experience: Nurses with limited exposure to pediatric patients may find it challenging to apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios. Seeking clinical experiences can help overcome this challenge.
Conclusion
Pediatric NCLEX questions are an integral part of the NCLEX exam for nurses specializing in pediatric care. By mastering the topics covered in these questions and developing effective answering strategies, nurses can enhance their chances of success in the examination and demonstrate their readiness to provide competent and compassionate care to young patients.
Smart’n’s NCLEX practice questions will ease the way for you.
FAQs
1. Are pediatric NCLEX questions different from adult NCLEX questions?
Yes, pediatric NCLEX questions focus specifically on the care of pediatric patients and cover topics relevant to pediatric nursing.
2. Are there any study resources available for pediatric NCLEX preparation?
Yes, there are numerous study resources available, including textbooks, online question banks, mobile apps, and review courses specifically tailored for pediatric NCLEX preparation.
3. What are NCLEX priority questions?
NCLEX priority questions are formulated to evaluate your capacity to prioritize patient care. These questions demand critical thinking and swift decision-making regarding the order in which patient needs should be addressed.
