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 6 of 18
- A. Respiratory rate above 40 per minute
- B. Respiratory rate above 20 per minute
- C. Mild nasal discharge without fever
- D. Cough lasting for two days
Explanation: For a child aged 12 months to 5 years, 40 breaths per minute or more indicates fast breathing.
Correct answer: Respiratory rate above 40 per minute- A. Give oral fluids and review later
- B. Arrange urgent referral after initial care
- C. Teach the mother to use a steam inhalation
- D. Administer an oral antitussive medicine
Explanation: Chest indrawing with difficulty feeding may indicate severe pneumonia or a general danger sign, so urgent referral is required after…
Correct answer: Arrange urgent referral after initial care- A. Alert child with moist eyes and normal thirst
- B. Lethargic child unable to drink normally
- C. Restless child with sunken eyes and eager drinking
- D. Child with normal skin pinch and no change in behaviour
Explanation: Some dehydration is suggested by at least two findings such as restlessness, sunken eyes, eager drinking or a skin pinch that returns…
Correct answer: Restless child with sunken eyes and eager drinking- A. Begin urgent rehydration according to the severe dehydration plan
- B. Offer a high-fibre meal and observe the stool pattern
- C. Give an antidiarrhoeal drug before replacing fluids
- D. Wait for laboratory results before starting treatment
Explanation: Lethargy, sunken eyes and inability to drink indicate severe dehydration, which threatens circulation and requires urgent rehydration.
Correct answer: Begin urgent rehydration according to the severe dehydration plan- A. Painful swelling of one parotid gland
- B. Cough followed by repeated inspiratory whoops
- C. Koplik spots followed by a spreading maculopapular rash
- D. Small itchy vesicles appearing in successive crops
Explanation: Koplik spots on the buccal mucosa are a characteristic early sign of measles, followed by fever and a spreading maculopapular rash.
Correct answer: Koplik spots followed by a spreading maculopapular rash- A. Place the child in airborne precautions and check immunisation history
- B. Use only contact precautions and share the room with infants
- C. Stop all fluids until the rash has completely disappeared
- D. Apply topical antibiotics to every skin lesion
Explanation: Measles spreads through airborne particles, so airborne precautions and assessment of immunisation status are important.
Correct answer: Place the child in airborne precautions and check immunisation history- A. Mumps
- B. Measles
- C. Pertussis
- D. Chickenpox
Explanation: Mumps commonly causes painful swelling of the parotid glands, often with pain during chewing or swallowing.
Correct answer: Mumps108. Which statement by the parent of a child with chickenpox shows correct understanding of home care?
- A. I will scratch the blisters to release the fluid
- B. I will keep the nails short and avoid contact with pregnant people
- C. I will give aspirin for fever when the child feels uncomfortable
- D. I will send the child to school once the first spots appear
Explanation: Keeping nails short reduces skin damage and secondary bacterial infection, while contact with pregnant people should be avoided because…
Correct answer: I will keep the nails short and avoid contact with pregnant people- A. Pertussis
- B. Mumps
- C. Measles
- D. Ascariasis
Explanation: Paroxysmal coughing followed by an inspiratory whoop and vomiting is characteristic of pertussis.
Correct answer: Pertussis- A. Wear footwear, wash hands and use sanitary toilets
- B. Avoid all milk and give antibiotics every month
- C. Share towels only after they are lightly dried
- D. Restrict water intake during outdoor activities
Explanation: Wearing footwear, handwashing, safe disposal of faeces and sanitary toilets reduce transmission of common intestinal worms.
Correct answer: Wear footwear, wash hands and use sanitary toilets- A. A bacterial infection of the lower airway
- B. A viral infection of the respiratory tract
- C. A fungal infection of the nasal passage
- D. A parasitic infection of the bronchi
Explanation: Viruses cause most uncomplicated acute respiratory infections in children.
Correct answer: A viral infection of the respiratory tract- A. Give oral fluids and reassess after one hour
- B. Arrange urgent assessment for possible airway obstruction
- C. Place the child flat and encourage deep breathing
- D. Start chest physiotherapy to loosen secretions
Explanation: Noisy breathing at rest may indicate stridor and serious upper-airway narrowing.
Correct answer: Arrange urgent assessment for possible airway obstruction- A. Offer small, frequent sips using a cup or spoon
- B. Give a large amount quickly to replace losses
- C. Withhold breastfeeding until the diarrhoea stops
- D. Mix the solution with extra water to reduce its taste
Explanation: Small, frequent sips improve absorption and reduce vomiting during oral rehydration.
Correct answer: Offer small, frequent sips using a cup or spoon- A. The child becomes more alert and passes urine
- B. The child develops a faster pulse and dry lips
- C. The child becomes sleepier and drinks less
- D. The child has increasing sunken eyes and thirst
Explanation: Improved alertness and urine production are useful signs of restoring circulation and hydration.
Correct answer: The child becomes more alert and passes urine- A. Routine immunisation of eligible children
- B. Giving antibiotics to every child with fever
- C. Avoiding all dairy foods during an outbreak
- D. Using antidiarrhoeal medicine after exposure
Explanation: Routine measles vaccination is the main preventive measure and reduces transmission in the community.
Correct answer: Routine immunisation of eligible children- A. Offer soft foods and plenty of non-acidic fluids
- B. Give citrus juice to stimulate salivary flow
- C. Apply vigorous massage over the swollen glands
- D. Restrict fluids until the facial swelling decreases
Explanation: Soft foods and non-acidic fluids reduce pain during chewing and swallowing while supporting hydration.
Correct answer: Offer soft foods and plenty of non-acidic fluids- A. Only after every skin lesion has crusted
- B. From about two days before the rash until all lesions crust
- C. Only during the first hour after the fever begins
- D. After complete healing when new lesions appear
Explanation: Chickenpox spreads from shortly before the rash appears until the lesions have crusted.
Correct answer: From about two days before the rash until all lesions crust- A. Offer oral fluids to soothe the throat
- B. Assess the airway and breathing and call for urgent help
- C. Place the infant in a dark room to reduce stimulation
- D. Delay intervention until the coughing episode ends
Explanation: Apnoea and cyanosis indicate an immediate breathing emergency. Airway and breathing are assessed first while urgent help is called; oral…
Correct answer: Assess the airway and breathing and call for urgent help- A. Iron-deficiency anaemia and tiredness
- B. Parotid swelling with pain on chewing
- C. A barking cough with inspiratory noise
- D. Clusters of fluid-filled skin vesicles
Explanation: Hookworms attach to the intestinal lining and cause chronic blood loss, which may lead to iron-deficiency anaemia and fatigue.
Correct answer: Iron-deficiency anaemia and tiredness- A. Early-morning adhesive tape test
- B. Midday sputum culture test
- C. Random blood glucose measurement
- D. Throat swab after eating breakfast
Explanation: The adhesive tape test is used in the morning to collect pinworm eggs from the perianal skin before bathing or defecation.
Correct answer: Early-morning adhesive tape test