TheoryCPNP-AC Peds Nurse Exam Prep
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CPNP-AC Peds Nurse Exam Prep exam — full Q&A walkthrough
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30 free CPNP-AC Peds Nurse Exam Prep questions
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CPNP-AC Peds Nurse Exam Prep
A 2-year-old presents with sudden onset of stridor and barking cough. Which physical assessment finding is most important to document immediately?
Correct — D. In a case suggesting croup, immediate assessment of work of breathing and respiratory rate is crucial as it indicates severity and need for urgent intervention. -
CPNP-AC Peds Nurse Exam Prep
When assessing a 14-year-old with new onset seizures, which component of the family history is most relevant?
Correct — C. Family history of genetic disorders or epilepsy is crucial in evaluating new onset seizures as many seizure disorders have genetic components. -
CPNP-AC Peds Nurse Exam Prep
A 5-month-old with bronchopulmonary dysplasia on home oxygen presents with increased work of breathing. What is the most important initial assessment?
Correct — B. In technology-dependent patients, comparing current oxygen needs to baseline helps determine acuity and deterioration. -
CPNP-AC Peds Nurse Exam Prep
When assessing a 16-year-old following a motor vehicle accident, which physical examination component takes priority?
Correct — A. In trauma cases, cervical spine protection and neurological assessment are priority to prevent further injury and assess severity. -
CPNP-AC Peds Nurse Exam Prep
During assessment of a 3-year-old with suspected sepsis, which vital sign trend is most concerning?
Correct — D. Tachycardia with normal blood pressure can be an early sign of compensated shock in pediatric sepsis. -
CPNP-AC Peds Nurse Exam Prep
Which assessment finding is most concerning in an 8-year-old with diabetic ketoacidosis?
Correct — C. Altered mental status in DKA can indicate cerebral edema, a life-threatening complication requiring immediate intervention. -
CPNP-AC Peds Nurse Exam Prep
When assessing a 6-month-old with congenital heart disease, which finding requires immediate intervention?
Correct — B. Central cyanosis with respiratory distress indicates severe cardiovascular compromise requiring immediate intervention. -
CPNP-AC Peds Nurse Exam Prep
Which assessment finding is most important in a 4-year-old with suspected intussusception?
Correct — A. Intermittent severe abdominal pain with lethargy is characteristic of intussusception and helps differentiate it from other conditions. -
CPNP-AC Peds Nurse Exam Prep
In assessing a 12-year-old with acute asthma exacerbation, which finding indicates need for immediate intervention?
Correct — D. Silent chest in asthma indicates severe bronchospasm and impending respiratory failure requiring immediate intervention. -
CPNP-AC Peds Nurse Exam Prep
When assessing a 2-month-old with fever, which finding warrants immediate sepsis workup?
Correct — C. In infants under 3 months, fever ≥38.0°C requires full sepsis evaluation due to risk of serious bacterial infection. -
CPNP-AC Peds Nurse Exam Prep
Which assessment finding is most concerning in a 5-year-old post-tonsillectomy patient?
Correct — B. Fresh bright red blood indicates active hemorrhage, a serious post-tonsillectomy complication requiring immediate attention. -
CPNP-AC Peds Nurse Exam Prep
When assessing a 15-year-old with sickle cell crisis, which finding indicates severe disease?
Correct — A. Chest pain with decreased oxygen saturation suggests acute chest syndrome, a serious complication of sickle cell disease. -
CPNP-AC Peds Nurse Exam Prep
Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention in a 3-year-old with pneumonia?
Correct — D. Nasal flaring with intercostal retractions indicates significant respiratory distress requiring immediate intervention. -
CPNP-AC Peds Nurse Exam Prep
In assessing a 7-year-old with new onset type 1 diabetes, which finding requires immediate attention?
Correct — C. Fruity breath with confusion suggests diabetic ketoacidosis, requiring immediate medical intervention. -
CPNP-AC Peds Nurse Exam Prep
When assessing a 10-year-old with severe head injury, which pupillary finding is most concerning?
Correct — B. Unilateral pupil dilation can indicate increasing intracranial pressure or brain herniation requiring immediate intervention. -
CPNP-AC Peds Nurse Exam Prep
Which assessment finding is most concerning in a 6-year-old on mechanical ventilation?
Correct — A. Decreasing tidal volumes with increasing peak pressures suggest worsening lung compliance or airway obstruction. -
CPNP-AC Peds Nurse Exam Prep
When assessing a 4-month-old with bronchiolitis, which finding indicates need for hospitalization?
Correct — D. Respiratory rate >70 with poor feeding indicates significant respiratory distress requiring hospitalization. -
CPNP-AC Peds Nurse Exam Prep
Which assessment finding is most concerning in an 8-year-old post-appendectomy patient?
Correct — C. Severe abdominal pain with rigid abdomen may indicate postoperative complications like peritonitis requiring immediate evaluation. -
CPNP-AC Peds Nurse Exam Prep
In assessing a 13-year-old with status epilepticus, which finding requires immediate intervention?
Correct — B. Seizure activity lasting >5 minutes meets criteria for status epilepticus and requires immediate medical intervention. -
CPNP-AC Peds Nurse Exam Prep
When assessing a 1-year-old with suspected child abuse, which documentation is most critical?
Correct — A. Detailed documentation and photographs of injuries are crucial for legal purposes and appropriate intervention in suspected abuse cases. -
CPNP-AC Peds Nurse Exam Prep
A 3-year-old presents with fever, painful joints, salmon-colored rash that appears with fever spikes, and lymphadenopathy. Which diagnosis should be highest on the differential?
Correct — D. The combination of fever, arthritis, evanescent salmon-colored rash that coincides with fever spikes, and lymphadenopathy are classic findings of systemic JIA (Still's disease). -
CPNP-AC Peds Nurse Exam Prep
A 2-month-old presents with projectile vomiting after feeds, hungry after vomiting, and a palpable olive-shaped mass in the epigastrium. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Correct — C. The classic triad of projectile vomiting, persistent hunger, and a palpable olive-shaped mass in the epigastrium strongly suggests pyloric stenosis in an infant of typical age. -
CPNP-AC Peds Nurse Exam Prep
A 6-year-old presents with sudden onset of left-sided weakness, facial droop, and slurred speech. Recent history includes varicella infection 3 months ago. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Correct — B. Acute onset of unilateral weakness with facial involvement and speech changes suggests stroke, particularly with recent varicella infection as a risk factor for post-varicella arteriopathy. -
CPNP-AC Peds Nurse Exam Prep
A 14-year-old athlete presents with acute knee pain after hearing a 'pop' during a soccer game. Physical exam reveals positive anterior drawer test and effusion. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Correct — A. The mechanism of injury, audible pop, and positive anterior drawer test are classic findings for an ACL tear, common in adolescent athletes. -
CPNP-AC Peds Nurse Exam Prep
A 5-year-old presents with fever, strawberry tongue, cervical lymphadenopathy, and desquamating rash on hands and feet. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Correct — D. These findings represent classic diagnostic criteria for Kawasaki Disease, including fever, strawberry tongue, lymphadenopathy, and characteristic desquamation. -
CPNP-AC Peds Nurse Exam Prep
A 12-year-old presents with fever, severe headache, photophobia, and neck stiffness. Recent history includes sinusitis. What diagnosis needs to be ruled out first?
Correct — C. Given the presentation and recent sinusitis (potential source), bacterial meningitis must be ruled out first due to its life-threatening nature. -
CPNP-AC Peds Nurse Exam Prep
A 4-month-old presents with poor feeding, tachypnea, and diaphoresis during feeds. Physical exam reveals a harsh systolic murmur. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Correct — B. The combination of feeding difficulties, tachypnea, diaphoresis with feeds, and harsh systolic murmur suggests VSD as the most likely congenital heart defect. -
CPNP-AC Peds Nurse Exam Prep
A 16-year-old presents with acute chest pain, shortness of breath, and anxiety following a long car trip. What diagnosis should be considered first?
Correct — A. The combination of symptoms with recent prolonged immobility (car trip) raises concern for pulmonary embolism, which must be considered first due to its severity. -
CPNP-AC Peds Nurse Exam Prep
A 7-year-old presents with fever, right lower quadrant pain, anorexia, and migration of pain from periumbilical area. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Correct — D. The classic presentation of migratory pain from periumbilical to right lower quadrant, along with fever and anorexia, strongly suggests acute appendicitis. -
CPNP-AC Peds Nurse Exam Prep
A 3-month-old presents with poor feeding, lethargy, and temperature instability. Labs show hyperammonemia and metabolic acidosis. What diagnosis should be considered?
Correct — C. The combination of poor feeding, lethargy, hyperammonemia, and metabolic acidosis in an infant suggests an inborn error of metabolism.
CPNP-AC Peds Nurse Exam Prep sample questions
Tap any question below to reveal the answer and a plain-English explanation.
CPNP-AC Peds Nurse Exam Prep A 6-year-old presents with sudden onset of left-sided weakness, facial droop, and slurred speech. Recent history includes varicella infection 3 months ago. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Todd's Paralysis
B. Acute Stroke ✓
C. Bell's Palsy
D. Complex Migraine
Correct — B. Acute onset of unilateral weakness with facial involvement and speech changes suggests stroke, particularly with recent varicella infection as a risk factor for post-varicella arteriopathy.
CPNP-AC Peds Nurse Exam Prep A 14-year-old athlete presents with acute knee pain after hearing a 'pop' during a soccer game. Physical exam reveals positive anterior drawer test and effusion. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear ✓
B. Meniscal Injury
C. Patellar Dislocation
D. Tibial Plateau Fracture
Correct — A. The mechanism of injury, audible pop, and positive anterior drawer test are classic findings for an ACL tear, common in adolescent athletes.
CPNP-AC Peds Nurse Exam Prep A 5-year-old presents with fever, strawberry tongue, cervical lymphadenopathy, and desquamating rash on hands and feet. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Scarlet Fever
B. Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
C. Toxic Shock Syndrome
D. Kawasaki Disease ✓
Correct — D. These findings represent classic diagnostic criteria for Kawasaki Disease, including fever, strawberry tongue, lymphadenopathy, and characteristic desquamation.
CPNP-AC Peds Nurse Exam Prep A 12-year-old presents with fever, severe headache, photophobia, and neck stiffness. Recent history includes sinusitis. What diagnosis needs to be ruled out first?
A. Viral Meningitis
B. Tension Headache
C. Bacterial Meningitis ✓
D. Migraine Headache
Correct — C. Given the presentation and recent sinusitis (potential source), bacterial meningitis must be ruled out first due to its life-threatening nature.
CPNP-AC Peds Nurse Exam Prep A 4-month-old presents with poor feeding, tachypnea, and diaphoresis during feeds. Physical exam reveals a harsh systolic murmur. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Atrial Septal Defect
B. Ventricular Septal Defect ✓
C. Patent Ductus Arteriosus
D. Tetralogy of Fallot
Correct — B. The combination of feeding difficulties, tachypnea, diaphoresis with feeds, and harsh systolic murmur suggests VSD as the most likely congenital heart defect.
CPNP-AC Peds Nurse Exam Prep A 16-year-old presents with acute chest pain, shortness of breath, and anxiety following a long car trip. What diagnosis should be considered first?
A. Pulmonary Embolism ✓
B. Panic Attack
C. Costochondritis
D. Pneumothorax
Correct — A. The combination of symptoms with recent prolonged immobility (car trip) raises concern for pulmonary embolism, which must be considered first due to its severity.
CPNP-AC Peds Nurse Exam Prep A 7-year-old presents with fever, right lower quadrant pain, anorexia, and migration of pain from periumbilical area. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Gastroenteritis
B. Mesenteric Adenitis
C. Ovarian Cyst
D. Acute Appendicitis ✓
Correct — D. The classic presentation of migratory pain from periumbilical to right lower quadrant, along with fever and anorexia, strongly suggests acute appendicitis.
CPNP-AC Peds Nurse Exam Prep A 3-month-old presents with poor feeding, lethargy, and temperature instability. Labs show hyperammonemia and metabolic acidosis. What diagnosis should be considered?
A. Viral Infection
B. Formula Intolerance
C. Inborn Error of Metabolism ✓
D. Sepsis
Correct — C. The combination of poor feeding, lethargy, hyperammonemia, and metabolic acidosis in an infant suggests an inborn error of metabolism.
About the CPNP-AC Peds Nurse Exam Prep test
CPNP-AC Peds Nurse Exam Prep candidates are tested on Nursing/Medical and Assessment, in the same format the real exam uses. Every question here comes with a plain-language explanation, so you learn why an answer is right instead of memorising it — with 30 questions to start on.
You will be tested on
- Safe and effective care environment
- Health promotion and maintenance
- Psychosocial and physiological integrity
- Pharmacology, infection control and patient safety
How TheoryPractice helps you pass
- Real exam-style questions with instant, detailed explanations
- Full timed mock exams that mirror the real test format
- Flashcards & quiz modes from the same question bank
- Progress tracking so you know exactly when you're ready
Topics in this question bank
Safe and effective care environment
Health promotion and maintenance
Psychosocial and physiological integrity
Pharmacology, infection control and patient safety
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