CCRN Pediatric Nurse Prep practice questions and answers 2026. Tap an option to test yourself — you'll see the correct answer and a plain-English explanation for every question. Free, no login.
Q11A nurse is caring for a child with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which of the following laboratory findings is a common complication of DKA?
✓ Correct answer: B. Hyperglycemia
Answer: Hyperglycemia DKA is a serious condition characterized by high blood glucose levels, ketonemia, and metabolic acidosis due to insulin deficiency. DKA typically occurs in children with type 1 diabetes. The hyperglycemia leads to osmotic diuresis, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalances. Laboratory findings commonly include hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels), ketonemia (presence of ketones in the blood), and acidosis (low blood pH) due to the accumulation of ketones. Other common laboratory findings include hyperkalemia (due to insulin deficiency and acidosis), hyperphosphatemia, and increased anion gap. Monitoring and correcting these lab abnormalities is crucial for the management and recovery of the child.
Q12A 7-year-old patient with thalassemia major has been prescribed deferoxamine for iron chelation. Which of the following outcomes would indicate this medication is therapeutic?
✓ Correct answer: C. The patient's serum ferritin levels will decrease over time
Answer: The patient's serum ferritin levels will decrease over time Deferoxamine is used to bind excess iron in the body and promote its excretion, thereby preventing iron overload, which is common in patients with thalassemia major due to frequent blood transfusions. A therapeutic outcome of deferoxamine therapy is a decrease in serum ferritin levels, indicating a reduction in iron stores. Regular monitoring of serum ferritin and other iron parameters is essential to gauge the effectiveness of therapy and adjust doses as necessary. Polyuria is not an expected outcome of deferoxamine therapy.
Q13A nurse is monitoring a 4-year-old child with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Considering that metabolic control is crucial in preventing complications in these patients, caregivers must ensure strict blood glucose management. What is the leading complication associated with poor glycemic control in pediatric Type 1 diabetic patients?
✓ Correct answer: B. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
Answer: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) DKA is a serious complication that arises due to prolonged periods of hyperglycemia and lack of insulin. In pediatric patients, DKA can progress rapidly and lead to severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and can even be life-threatening if not managed promptly. To minimize the risk of DKA, children with T1DM should have tightly monitored blood glucose levels, with insulin therapy adjustments performed as needed. Caregivers should also ensure appropriate carbohydrate intake and regular check-ups to early detect and address any glycemic management issues. Acute hypoglycemia, though dangerous, is typically a result of overcorrecting hyperglycemia or missed meals. Hypertension and Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS) are less common in Type 1 diabetes but are critical complications in Type 2 diabetes.
Q14At which stage of development are children MOST likely to perceive hospitalization as temporary and non-threatening?
✓ Correct answer: A. Preschoolers
Answer: Preschoolers. At the preschool age (ages 3-5 years), children often perceive hospitalization as a temporary and non-threatening event. This age group might not fully understand the reason for hospitalization and could see it as a short separation or a form of temporary discomfort rather than a serious event.
Q15In pediatric patients, what condition is most commonly related to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)?
✓ Correct answer: D. Sepsis
Answer: Sepsis ARDS is a severe form of acute lung injury characterized by rapid onset of widespread inflammation in the lungs. It leads to significant respiratory distress and hypoxemia. In pediatric patients, sepsis is the most common underlying cause of ARDS. The systemic infection and inflammatory response can trigger the onset of ARDS. While trauma, including traumatic brain injury, and underlying cardiac conditions like CHF can lead to ARDS, they are less common causes compared to sepsis in the pediatric population. Asthma, though a respiratory condition, does not typically lead to ARDS.
Q16A pediatric nurse is assessing a child with chronic asthma and is evaluating the characteristics of the child's cough. The nurse expects this patient's cough to have which of the following characteristics?
✓ Correct answer: C. Nocturnal and dry
Answer: Nocturnal and dry. Asthma often causes a nocturnal dry cough. This is due to the airway inflammation and mucus production associated with the disease. The cough typically worsens at night due to lying down and reduced air circulation. Loose and productive cough is typically linked to conditions where there is mucus production, such as bronchiectasis. A croupy cough is characteristic of viral laryngotracheobronchitis (LTB), with a bark-like sound. A brassy cough is loud and metallic, often associated with tracheitis and upper airway drainage.
Q17Pediatric bronchiolitis is often observed in which of the following scenarios?
✓ Correct answer: B. Increased airway resistance
Answer: Increased airway resistance Pediatric bronchiolitis involves the inflammation of the small airways in the lungs, leading to increased airway resistance. This condition is generally caused by viral infections and results in difficulty breathing. The increase in airway resistance makes it harder for the child to breathe, often necessitating medical intervention. Proper management may include oxygen therapy and monitoring to ensure adequate oxygenation.
Q18Which of the following conditions often presents with wheezing, dyspnea, and chest tightness, commonly peaking in children between 6 and 12 years of age?
✓ Correct answer: D. Asthma
Answer: Asthma Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by episodes of wheezing, dyspnea, chest tightness, and cough. It often presents in childhood and can have varying degrees of severity. This condition commonly peaks in children between 6 and 12 years of age. Triggers can include allergens, respiratory infections, exercise, and stress. Bronchiolitis primarily affects infants and presents with signs of lower respiratory tract infections, including cough and wheezing. Pneumonia is a lower respiratory infection marked by fever, cough, and difficulty breathing and can affect any age group. Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that affects the lungs and other organs, presenting with chronic respiratory infections and thick mucus production, usually diagnosed in early childhood.
Q19In pediatric patients with severe asthma exacerbations, which signs could indicate respiratory distress?
✓ Correct answer: C. Wheezing and retractions
Answer: Wheezing and retractions In pediatric patients, severe asthma exacerbations often present with signs of respiratory distress such as wheezing and retractions. Wheezing is caused by the narrowing of airways, while retractions are visible indentations of the chest wall during breathing, indicating difficulty in moving air through the airways. Other signs like hypertension, tachycardia, and cyanosis may be present but are not direct indicators of respiratory distress due to asthma exacerbations.
Q20A 2-year-old child presents with a cyanotic congenital heart defect and has undergone a corrective Blalock-Taussig shunt procedure. What is the primary purpose of this procedure?
✓ Correct answer: A. To increase pulmonary blood flow
Answer: To increase pulmonary blood flow The Blalock-Taussig shunt is a surgical procedure used to increase pulmonary blood flow in patients with cyanotic congenital heart defects, such as Tetralogy of Fallot. This involves creating an anastomosis between the subclavian artery and the pulmonary artery, allowing oxygen-poor blood to bypass the obstruction and reach the lungs for oxygenation. This procedure helps alleviate the symptoms of cyanosis and improves oxygen saturation in the blood. It is often a palliative measure to stabilize the child's condition before further definitive surgical repair can be performed.
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