All Free Paediatric Nursing MCQs with Answers
Every Paediatric Nursing question in the bank, across all chapters, each with the correct answer and a written explanation. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
350 questions · page 1 of 18
- A. The child's favourite games and television shows
- B. The child's baseline health, allergies and current medicines
- C. The parents' preferred visiting hours and meal choices
- D. The child's usual bedtime and preferred sleeping position
Explanation: Baseline health, allergies and current medicines help the nurse identify immediate risks and prevent medication errors.
Correct answer: The child's baseline health, allergies and current medicines- A. Measure the dose using a household teaspoon
- B. Check the child's weight, allergy status and prescription
- C. Mix the medicine into the child's entire bottle of milk
- D. Ask the parent to identify the medicine before giving it
Explanation: Paediatric doses commonly depend on body weight, and allergy and prescription checks help prevent serious errors.
Correct answer: Check the child's weight, allergy status and prescription- A. Wait until the child reports severe pain
- B. Assess pain using an age-appropriate pain scale
- C. Offer food before discussing the child's pain
- D. Encourage the child to walk without analgesia
Explanation: The nurse should assess pain with a suitable scale, such as a faces scale, and then provide prescribed analgesia and comfort measures.
Correct answer: Assess pain using an age-appropriate pain scale- A. Ask the parent to leave while the child is asleep
- B. Allow a familiar caregiver to stay and maintain routines
- C. Tell the child that crying will delay discharge
- D. Keep the child alone to encourage independence
Explanation: A familiar caregiver, consistent routines and honest explanations reduce the stress of separation.
Correct answer: Allow a familiar caregiver to stay and maintain routines- A. The child asks for a favourite toy
- B. The child has dry lips and wants water
- C. The child becomes drowsy with increasing chest retractions
- D. The child refuses the hospital meal
Explanation: Increasing chest retractions with drowsiness suggests worsening respiratory distress and possible hypoxia.
Correct answer: The child becomes drowsy with increasing chest retractions- A. Use simple explanations and offer a choice of position
- B. Promise that the procedure will not hurt at all
- C. Restrain the child immediately without explanation
- D. Ask the parent to leave during the procedure
Explanation: Simple honest explanations, comfort positioning and limited choices help the child feel some control and reduce fear.
Correct answer: Use simple explanations and offer a choice of position- A. Offer small frequent meals and preferred nutritious foods
- B. Withhold all snacks until the child finishes a full meal
- C. Force the child to eat the prescribed meal quickly
- D. Give only clear fluids until the appetite returns
Explanation: Small frequent meals with nutritious familiar foods are often better tolerated than large meals.
Correct answer: Offer small frequent meals and preferred nutritious foods- A. Wear gloves but omit hand hygiene after glove removal
- B. Perform hand hygiene before and after every patient contact
- C. Place used nappies on the bedside table temporarily
- D. Use the same thermometer for several children without cleaning it
Explanation: Hand hygiene before and after patient contact is the main measure for reducing transmission of infection.
Correct answer: Perform hand hygiene before and after every patient contact- A. Question the caregiver in front of the child immediately
- B. Document objective findings and report concerns through safeguarding policy
- C. Ignore the findings because family discipline is private
- D. Ask the child to investigate and explain the caregiver's behaviour
Explanation: Possible abuse requires objective documentation and prompt reporting through the hospital safeguarding pathway.
Correct answer: Document objective findings and report concerns through safeguarding policy- A. I will stop the medicine when my child feels better
- B. I will use the household spoon for each dose
- C. I will give each dose as prescribed and complete the course
- D. I will share the remaining medicine with a sibling
Explanation: The parent should give every dose as prescribed and complete the course unless the prescriber changes the plan.
Correct answer: I will give each dose as prescribed and complete the course- A. Use an adult cuff on the upper arm
- B. Use a cuff with a bladder too small
- C. Use a cuff covering the upper arm correctly
- D. Measure blood pressure over the clothing
Explanation: The cuff bladder should cover the appropriate proportion of the child’s upper arm and fit securely.
Correct answer: Use a cuff covering the upper arm correctly- A. The child has moist lips
- B. The child passes urine regularly
- C. The child develops increasing eyelid swelling
- D. The child sleeps after feeding
Explanation: New eyelid swelling may indicate fluid overload, especially in an infant receiving intravenous fluids.
Correct answer: The child develops increasing eyelid swelling- A. Compare the dose with the child’s weight
- B. Estimate the dose from the child’s age
- C. Use the dose prepared for an adult
- D. Round the dose to a convenient volume
Explanation: Paediatric doses are commonly prescribed according to body weight, so the nurse must compare the calculated dose with the prescription and…
Correct answer: Compare the dose with the child’s weight- A. Tell the child that the procedure will not hurt
- B. Use simple words and allow limited choices
- C. Ask the parent to leave during the procedure
- D. Complete the procedure without explaining it
Explanation: Simple explanations and limited choices, such as which arm to use or which toy to hold, give the child a sense of control.
Correct answer: Use simple words and allow limited choices- A. Tell the child not to worry about the diagnosis
- B. Give an honest explanation using simple language
- C. Ask the parent to answer every health question
- D. Change the subject until the child stops asking
Explanation: Children have a right to information explained in a way they can understand.
Correct answer: Give an honest explanation using simple language- A. Ask the parent to observe silently
- B. Invite the parent to provide comfort if appropriate
- C. Prevent the parent from asking any questions
- D. Give all care without discussing it with the family
Explanation: Family-centred care includes the family in care decisions and supports their appropriate participation.
Correct answer: Invite the parent to provide comfort if appropriate- A. A short picture book about hospital care
- B. A complex written explanation of the procedure
- C. A competitive board game with several rules
- D. A detailed discussion of possible complications
Explanation: Toddlers benefit from brief stories, demonstration and simple play using familiar objects.
Correct answer: A short picture book about hospital care- A. Place the child flat on the back
- B. Use a large amount of mouthwash
- C. Position the child to reduce aspiration risk
- D. Ask the child to rinse and spit independently
Explanation: An unconscious child cannot protect the airway or reliably spit out fluids, so positioning must reduce aspiration risk.
Correct answer: Position the child to reduce aspiration risk- A. Offer extra water when the child cries
- B. Record all oral and intravenous intake
- C. Leave a full water cup at the bedside
- D. Ask the family to estimate the child’s intake
Explanation: Accurate intake recording helps the team maintain the prescribed restriction and evaluate hydration.
Correct answer: Record all oral and intravenous intake- A. Confirm the caregiver’s plan and give emergency instructions
- B. Tell the caregiver to wait until the next clinic visit
- C. Advise giving food first and observing for one day
- D. Suggest contacting another family member before seeking help
Explanation: Breathing difficulty and unusual drowsiness may indicate serious deterioration and require urgent assessment.
Correct answer: Confirm the caregiver’s plan and give emergency instructions