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 16 of 18

Moderate
  • A. Place the child in the recovery position and observe
  • B. Begin chest compressions while help is activated
  • C. Give oral glucose and reassess consciousness
  • D. Insert an oral airway before calling for help

Explanation: Abnormal gasping is not normal breathing, so the child requires immediate paediatric resuscitation.

Correct answer: Begin chest compressions while help is activated
Very hard
  • A. Give five abdominal thrusts followed by back blows
  • B. Give five back blows followed by five chest thrusts
  • C. Sweep the mouth with a finger to remove the object
  • D. Place the infant flat and begin mouth-to-mouth breathing

Explanation: For a conscious infant with severe choking, alternate five back blows with five chest thrusts until the object is expelled or the infant…

Correct answer: Give five back blows followed by five chest thrusts
Hard
  • A. Cool hands with a prolonged capillary refill
  • B. Fast pulse with normal blood pressure
  • C. Lethargy, weak pulses, and falling blood pressure
  • D. Anxiety with increased respiratory rate

Explanation: Decompensated shock occurs when compensatory mechanisms can no longer maintain organ perfusion.

Correct answer: Lethargy, weak pulses, and falling blood pressure
  • A. 150 mL
  • B. 200 mL
  • C. 300 mL
  • D. 450 mL

Explanation: The calculation is 20 mL/kg × 15 kg = 300 mL. An isotonic fluid bolus is given for circulatory compromise as prescribed, followed by…

Correct answer: 300 mL
Easy
  • A. Insert a padded tongue blade between the teeth
  • B. Restrain the arms and legs to prevent injury
  • C. Clear nearby hazards and protect the child from injury
  • D. Give oral water to prevent dehydration during the seizure

Explanation: The nurse should protect the child from injury, maintain a safe airway position when possible, and observe the seizure pattern and…

Correct answer: Clear nearby hazards and protect the child from injury
Moderate
  • A. Induce vomiting to remove the tablets
  • B. Give milk to dilute the swallowed medicine
  • C. Assess and support the airway and breathing
  • D. Give activated charcoal before checking vital signs

Explanation: Airway and breathing are the immediate priorities because respiratory depression can rapidly become fatal.

Correct answer: Assess and support the airway and breathing
  • A. Apply ice directly to the burned skin
  • B. Cover the burn with thick cotton wool
  • C. Cool the burn under clean running water for 20 minutes
  • D. Break blisters and apply an antibiotic powder

Explanation: Clean, cool running water for 20 minutes helps limit thermal injury when started promptly.

Correct answer: Cool the burn under clean running water for 20 minutes
  • A. Offer small sips of oral rehydration solution
  • B. Start prescribed isotonic intravenous fluid and reassess
  • C. Give an antidiarrhoeal medicine before replacing fluid
  • D. Wait for laboratory results before beginning treatment

Explanation: Lethargy, weak pulses, cold extremities, and inability to drink indicate severe dehydration with circulatory compromise.

Correct answer: Start prescribed isotonic intravenous fluid and reassess
  • A. Extend the neck and lift the chin forcefully
  • B. Use a jaw thrust with manual in-line neck stabilisation
  • C. Turn the head fully to one side before suctioning
  • D. Sit the child upright without supporting the neck

Explanation: A jaw thrust with manual in-line stabilisation opens the airway while limiting cervical spine movement.

Correct answer: Use a jaw thrust with manual in-line neck stabilisation
  • A. Leave the child to rest and reassess after 30 minutes
  • B. Give oral fluids and place the child flat
  • C. Provide high-concentration oxygen and call the emergency team
  • D. Encourage deep coughing before starting any treatment

Explanation: Drowsiness and a quiet chest indicate critical airflow obstruction and possible respiratory failure, not improvement.

Correct answer: Provide high-concentration oxygen and call the emergency team
Fairly easy
  • A. Give high-concentration oxygen and call for urgent help
  • B. Offer oral fluids and reassess after 15 minutes
  • C. Place the child flat and begin chest compressions
  • D. Give a sedative to reduce the work of breathing

Explanation: Severe hypoxaemia is an immediate breathing emergency, so oxygen and urgent assistance are required.

Correct answer: Give high-concentration oxygen and call for urgent help
  • A. Encourage the child to continue coughing
  • B. Perform repeated abdominal thrusts immediately
  • C. Give water to help move the object down
  • D. Sweep the mouth with a finger to find the object

Explanation: An effective cough can clear a partial obstruction, so the nurse should encourage coughing and observe closely.

Correct answer: Encourage the child to continue coughing
  • A. Place the child in the recovery position and monitor breathing
  • B. Hold the child firmly to prevent another seizure
  • C. Give oral water to prevent dehydration
  • D. Insert a spoon between the teeth to protect the tongue

Explanation: The recovery position helps keep the airway open and reduces aspiration while breathing is monitored.

Correct answer: Place the child in the recovery position and monitor breathing
Easy
  • A. Apply firm direct pressure to the bleeding wound
  • B. Give an oral analgesic before treating the wound
  • C. Elevate the injured leg without controlling bleeding
  • D. Wait for hypotension before starting emergency care

Explanation: The findings indicate compensated shock, and ongoing blood loss can rapidly cause decompensation.

Correct answer: Apply firm direct pressure to the bleeding wound
  • A. Remove contaminated clothing and wash exposed skin
  • B. Induce vomiting to remove the pesticide
  • C. Give milk to dilute the swallowed chemical
  • D. Allow the child to walk outside without assessment

Explanation: Removing contamination protects the child and staff from continued absorption and exposure.

Correct answer: Remove contaminated clothing and wash exposed skin
Fairly easy
  • A. Do not induce vomiting and arrange urgent medical assessment
  • B. Give vinegar to neutralise the alkaline chemical
  • C. Induce vomiting before the chemical reaches the stomach
  • D. Give activated charcoal without consulting a poison service

Explanation: Caustic substances can burn the mouth and oesophagus again if vomited, so vomiting and attempted neutralisation are unsafe.

Correct answer: Do not induce vomiting and arrange urgent medical assessment
  • A. Switch off the electrical supply before touching the child
  • B. Apply cold water to the burn immediately
  • C. Pull the child away with bare hands
  • D. Cover the burn with ointment before assessment

Explanation: The power source must be disconnected first because touching the child while current is present can injure the rescuer.

Correct answer: Switch off the electrical supply before touching the child
Fairly easy
  • A. I will give oral rehydration solution in frequent small sips
  • B. I will stop breastfeeding until the diarrhoea ends
  • C. I will give only plain water for the next 24 hours
  • D. I will use an antidiarrhoeal medicine after every stool

Explanation: Frequent small amounts of oral rehydration solution replace water and electrolytes and are better tolerated during diarrhoea.

Correct answer: I will give oral rehydration solution in frequent small sips
  • A. Keep the child still, support circulation, and summon emergency help
  • B. Encourage walking to check whether the legs are injured
  • C. Give a large oral drink while waiting for transport
  • D. Apply deep pressure over the painful pelvic area

Explanation: Pelvic injury can cause major internal bleeding even without visible blood, so movement must be minimised and circulation support started…

Correct answer: Keep the child still, support circulation, and summon emergency help
Fairly easy
  • A. Give a rapidly absorbed oral glucose source and reassess
  • B. Give a long-acting insulin dose immediately
  • C. Keep the child nil by mouth until fully alert
  • D. Encourage exercise to lower the blood glucose level

Explanation: Sweating, tremor, and confusion are typical of hypoglycaemia, and a child who can swallow safely should receive fast-acting oral glucose.

Correct answer: Give a rapidly absorbed oral glucose source and reassess