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 2 of 18
- A. Count respirations for 30 seconds while the infant is awake
- B. Count respirations for 60 seconds while the infant is quiet
- C. Count respirations for 15 seconds after the infant cries
- D. Count respirations for 30 seconds after feeding
Explanation: Infants often have irregular breathing, so respirations should be counted for a full minute while the child is quiet.
Correct answer: Count respirations for 60 seconds while the infant is quiet- A. Numeric rating scale from 0 to 10
- B. Visual analogue scale with a marked line
- C. FLACC behavioural pain scale
- D. Glasgow Coma Scale
Explanation: The FLACC scale assesses facial expression, legs, activity, crying and consolability in children who cannot reliably self-report pain.
Correct answer: FLACC behavioural pain scale- A. Administer both medicines at different times
- B. Give the medicine with the larger dose
- C. Hold the medicines and clarify the prescriptions
- D. Ask the parent which medicine seems stronger
Explanation: Duplicate paracetamol can cause an excessive total dose and liver injury.
Correct answer: Hold the medicines and clarify the prescriptions- A. Warm skin and increased urine output
- B. Moist mouth and a strong pulse
- C. Sunken eyes and decreased urine output
- D. Brisk capillary refill and normal thirst
Explanation: Sunken eyes and reduced urine output are important clinical signs of fluid deficit in a child.
Correct answer: Sunken eyes and decreased urine output25. A nurse is helping a weak child eat lunch in bed. Which action best reduces the risk of aspiration?
- A. Place the child flat after the first few bites
- B. Keep the child upright during feeding and afterward
- C. Offer large mouthfuls to shorten the meal
- D. Use a straw for every drink and food item
Explanation: An upright position supports swallowing and reduces aspiration risk during and after feeding.
Correct answer: Keep the child upright during feeding and afterward- A. Warm skin with brisk blood return
- B. Cool, swollen tissue around the cannula
- C. A dry dressing with no discomfort
- D. A regular infusion rate without swelling
Explanation: Infiltration causes leakage of intravenous fluid into surrounding tissue, producing coolness, swelling, pallor and discomfort.
Correct answer: Cool, swollen tissue around the cannula- A. Allow participation after explaining safe tasks and hand hygiene
- B. Ask the parent to wait outside until all care is complete
- C. Permit the parent to change treatments without supervision
- D. Tell the parent that nurses must perform all daily care
Explanation: Family-centred care includes parents in appropriate care after the nurse explains their role, infection prevention and safety limits.
Correct answer: Allow participation after explaining safe tasks and hand hygiene- A. It will not hurt, so you should not worry
- B. Be brave because other children manage it
- C. You may feel a brief pinch, and I will explain each step
- D. Your parent can answer because nurses perform the procedure
Explanation: Honest, simple preparation builds trust and helps the child use coping strategies.
Correct answer: You may feel a brief pinch, and I will explain each step29. Which nursing action best protects a hospitalised child's privacy and dignity during routine care?
- A. Discuss the diagnosis loudly at the bedside
- B. Expose the whole body to save time
- C. Close the curtain and uncover only the area being examined
- D. Ask visitors to remain while the child is examined
Explanation: Closing the curtain and exposing only the required body area protects privacy, dignity and the child’s rights.
Correct answer: Close the curtain and uncover only the area being examined- A. Give written instructions without checking understanding
- B. Ask the caregiver to repeat medicines, warning signs and follow-up plans
- C. Tell the caregiver to contact the hospital only if symptoms last a week
- D. Provide follow-up information only to an older sibling
Explanation: Using teach-back confirms that the caregiver understands medicines, warning signs, follow-up and when to seek urgent help.
Correct answer: Ask the caregiver to repeat medicines, warning signs and follow-up plans- A. Ask the child to state the room number
- B. Compare the child's name and birth date with the record
- C. Confirm the child's diagnosis with a nearby parent
- D. Match the band colour with the ward diagnosis
Explanation: Using two identifiers, such as name and date of birth, helps prevent errors in medicines, procedures and investigations.
Correct answer: Compare the child's name and birth date with the record- A. Count the radial pulse for 15 seconds
- B. Count the brachial pulse for 30 seconds
- C. Count the apical pulse for a complete minute
- D. Count the carotid pulse for 30 seconds
Explanation: An infant's apical pulse is assessed with a stethoscope and counted for a full minute because infant rhythms may be irregular.
Correct answer: Count the apical pulse for a complete minute- A. Crush it and mix it with juice
- B. Split it and give it with food
- C. Ask the prescriber or pharmacist for a suitable form
- D. Dissolve it in warm water before giving it
Explanation: Extended-release medicines must not usually be crushed, split or dissolved because this can release the drug too quickly.
Correct answer: Ask the prescriber or pharmacist for a suitable form- A. Tell the child to remain completely silent
- B. Use slow breathing and guided distraction
- C. Promise that the procedure cannot hurt
- D. Delay all explanations until the procedure ends
Explanation: Slow breathing, distraction and simple explanations can reduce fear and the child's perception of pain.
Correct answer: Use slow breathing and guided distraction- A. Increase the feeding rate to finish quickly
- B. Stop the feed and assess the child's airway and breathing
- C. Place the child flat and continue observing
- D. Offer oral water to clear the throat
Explanation: Coughing and a wet voice during tube feeding may indicate aspiration, so the feed must be stopped and airway and breathing assessed first.
Correct answer: Stop the feed and assess the child's airway and breathing- A. Clean from the anus toward the urethra
- B. Use vigorous rubbing to remove all redness
- C. Clean gently from front to back and apply a barrier
- D. Leave the skin uncovered without cleaning after stools
Explanation: Gentle front-to-back cleansing reduces transfer of organisms toward the urinary tract, and a barrier protects irritated skin from further…
Correct answer: Clean gently from front to back and apply a barrier- A. Use airborne precautions in a well-ventilated room
- B. Use only standard precautions after the first dose
- C. Place the child in a crowded room near the nurses' station
- D. Use contact precautions without respiratory protection
Explanation: Suspected pulmonary tuberculosis requires airborne precautions, including appropriate respiratory protection and a suitable…
Correct answer: Use airborne precautions in a well-ventilated room- A. Use complex medical terms to sound precise
- B. Speak only to the parent while the child is present
- C. Use simple words and invite the child's questions
- D. Tell the child not to ask about the treatment
Explanation: Simple, honest communication at the child's developmental level supports understanding and cooperation.
Correct answer: Use simple words and invite the child's questions- A. Proceed without speaking to the child
- B. Seek the child's assent after explaining the procedure
- C. Ask the child to provide the parent's legal consent
- D. Allow the child to make every decision alone
Explanation: Parental consent does not remove the child's right to receive an explanation and participate through assent when developmentally able.
Correct answer: Seek the child's assent after explaining the procedure- A. Give the caregiver a leaflet without discussion
- B. Ask the caregiver to repeat the plan and demonstrate key care
- C. Tell the caregiver to contact the ward for every question
- D. Ask the caregiver to sign the discharge form immediately
Explanation: Teach-back and demonstration allow the nurse to identify misunderstandings before the child leaves.
Correct answer: Ask the caregiver to repeat the plan and demonstrate key care