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 4 of 18

  • A. Carbohydrate, providing 4 kilocalories per gram
  • B. Protein, providing 4 kilocalories per gram
  • C. Fat, providing 9 kilocalories per gram
  • D. Vitamin, providing 9 kilocalories per gram

Explanation: Fat provides 9 kilocalories per gram, while carbohydrate and protein provide about 4 kilocalories per gram.

Correct answer: Fat, providing 9 kilocalories per gram
  • A. It is rich in antibodies and helps protect the newborn
  • B. It contains more calories than mature milk
  • C. It prevents all newborn infections during the first month
  • D. It supplies enough iron for the first year of life

Explanation: Colostrum contains immunoglobulins and other protective factors that support the newborn's immature immune system.

Correct answer: It is rich in antibodies and helps protect the newborn
Moderate
  • A. Offer only diluted fruit juice between breastfeeds
  • B. Offer soft mashed foods with increasing texture and variety
  • C. Offer unmodified cow's milk as the main drink
  • D. Offer tea with meals to improve appetite

Explanation: By 10 months, the child should receive varied, energy-dense family foods with gradually increasing texture, while breastfeeding continues.

Correct answer: Offer soft mashed foods with increasing texture and variety
  • A. Only the foods the child likes most
  • B. All foods, drinks, portions, and times consumed
  • C. Only the number of meals eaten outside the home
  • D. Only the family's estimate of the child's appetite

Explanation: A 24-hour recall is useful only when it includes all foods and drinks, approximate amounts, and the time of intake.

Correct answer: All foods, drinks, portions, and times consumed
Moderate
  • A. Wasting from recent or acute undernutrition
  • B. Stunting from long-term undernutrition
  • C. Isolated iodine deficiency with goitre
  • D. Excess body weight from overnutrition

Explanation: Low weight-for-height indicates wasting, which commonly reflects acute or recent undernutrition.

Correct answer: Wasting from recent or acute undernutrition
  • A. Reassure the caregiver because the child has no fever
  • B. Review feeding, illness history, and the growth trend
  • C. Start an iron injection without further assessment
  • D. Advise stopping breastfeeding until weight improves

Explanation: A weight plateau requires assessment of the complete growth trend, feeding practices, and recent illness before planning care.

Correct answer: Review feeding, illness history, and the growth trend
Moderate
  • A. Stop solid foods until the stools become normal
  • B. Continue breastfeeding and offer small frequent meals
  • C. Give only clear fluids for the next several days
  • D. Replace meals with sweetened carbonated drinks

Explanation: Breastfeeding and age-appropriate foods should continue during diarrhoea, with small frequent meals if appetite is reduced.

Correct answer: Continue breastfeeding and offer small frequent meals
  • A. Bleeding gums and poor wound healing
  • B. Night blindness and Bitot spots
  • C. Widened wrists and delayed dentition
  • D. Neck swelling with reduced thyroid function

Explanation: Vitamin C deficiency can cause bleeding gums, poor wound healing, and increased bruising because collagen formation is impaired.

Correct answer: Bleeding gums and poor wound healing
Moderate
  • A. Serve the meal with tea after eating
  • B. Add a vitamin C-rich food such as orange or guava
  • C. Give the meal with a large glass of milk
  • D. Cook the meal only with extra salt

Explanation: Vitamin C improves absorption of non-haem iron from plant foods, so fruit such as orange or guava can be served with the meal.

Correct answer: Add a vitamin C-rich food such as orange or guava
  • A. Begin large high-calorie meals immediately
  • B. Start prescribed feeds cautiously and monitor the child closely
  • C. Withhold all feeds for 24 hours to rest the intestine
  • D. Give a high-protein diet without checking clinical status

Explanation: Children with severe undernutrition require cautious, prescribed feeding with close monitoring during initial rehabilitation.

Correct answer: Start prescribed feeds cautiously and monitor the child closely
  • A. Less than 11.5 cm
  • B. 11.5 to 12.4 cm
  • C. 12.5 to 13.4 cm
  • D. 13.5 to 14.4 cm

Explanation: A MUAC below 11.5 cm indicates severe acute malnutrition in children aged 6 to 59 months.

Correct answer: Less than 11.5 cm
  • A. Stunting from chronic undernutrition
  • B. Wasting from recent weight loss
  • C. Overweight from excess energy intake
  • D. Oedematous malnutrition from protein deficiency

Explanation: Low height-for-age indicates stunting, which usually reflects chronic or repeated undernutrition.

Correct answer: Stunting from chronic undernutrition
Moderate
  • A. Offer thicker mashed foods with greater nutrient density
  • B. Replace breast milk with diluted fruit juice
  • C. Give only clear soup until the first birthday
  • D. Delay solid foods until the child grows more teeth

Explanation: Thick mashed foods provide more energy and nutrients in a small stomach than watery rice water.

Correct answer: Offer thicker mashed foods with greater nutrient density
Hard
  • A. Sit with the child and encourage slow, supervised feeding
  • B. Place the child flat to reduce movement during feeding
  • C. Allow the child to eat alone so appetite develops
  • D. Stop feeding when the child takes the first mouthful

Explanation: The child should be seated upright and supervised during feeding to reduce choking risk and support responsive feeding.

Correct answer: Sit with the child and encourage slow, supervised feeding
  • A. Assess feeding history and check the child's health
  • B. Start a high-calorie supplement without assessment
  • C. Reassure the caregiver because one weight is normal
  • D. Restrict fluids to increase appetite at mealtimes

Explanation: A downward crossing of growth lines may indicate growth faltering and requires assessment of intake, illness, feeding technique and social…

Correct answer: Assess feeding history and check the child's health
Hard
  • A. Lentils served with rice
  • B. Tea served with biscuits
  • C. Boiled potato served with cucumber
  • D. Sugar mixed with diluted fruit juice

Explanation: Combining legumes such as lentils with cereals such as rice improves the overall amino acid pattern and supplies useful protein.

Correct answer: Lentils served with rice
  • A. Zinc
  • B. Fluoride
  • C. Vitamin K
  • D. Sodium bicarbonate

Explanation: Zinc supplementation, together with oral rehydration and continued feeding, helps reduce the duration and severity of childhood diarrhoea…

Correct answer: Zinc
Hard
  • A. Lentils with tomato and lemon
  • B. White bread with clarified butter
  • C. Rice pudding with added sugar
  • D. Cucumber with plain yoghurt

Explanation: Lentils provide non-haem iron, and tomato or lemon supplies vitamin C that improves its absorption.

Correct answer: Lentils with tomato and lemon
Moderate
  • A. Gradually introduce mashed and soft lumpy foods
  • B. Continue only strained liquids until chewing teeth appear
  • C. Add extra water so the liquids are easier to swallow
  • D. Stop complementary foods and give breast milk alone

Explanation: Soft mashed and lumpy foods should be introduced gradually during complementary feeding to develop oral skills and provide adequate…

Correct answer: Gradually introduce mashed and soft lumpy foods
  • A. Provide recommended vitamin D intake and safe sunlight exposure
  • B. Avoid all outdoor activity to protect the child's bones
  • C. Give extra vitamin A whenever the child has poor appetite
  • D. Replace milk and meals with sweetened fruit drinks

Explanation: Adequate vitamin D from recommended dietary or supplement sources, together with safe sunlight exposure, supports calcium absorption and…

Correct answer: Provide recommended vitamin D intake and safe sunlight exposure