Free Care of the Hospitalised Child MCQs with Answers

50 Care of the Hospitalised Child MCQs from Paediatric Nursing, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.

Care of the hospitalised child covers admission assessment, monitoring vital signs, medication safety, pain relief, nutrition, hygiene, infection prevention and safe discharge planning. It also addresses atraumatic care, therapeutic play, communication with children and parents, family participation, separation anxiety, safeguarding and the child’s rights during hospital care.

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50 questions · page 3 of 3

Hard
  • A. Administer the antibiotic and observe the child closely
  • B. Withhold the dose and clarify and document the allergy
  • C. Ask the parent to choose a different antibiotic
  • D. Give an antihistamine before administering the antibiotic

Explanation: The nurse must clarify and document the reported allergy before giving the medicine.

Correct answer: Withhold the dose and clarify and document the allergy
Moderate
  • A. Measure all vital signs while the child is crying
  • B. Allow the child to settle, then measure and record the findings
  • C. Ask the parent to hold the child firmly during measurement
  • D. Record the values as normal because crying affects all children

Explanation: Crying can temporarily increase the pulse, respiratory rate and blood pressure.

Correct answer: Allow the child to settle, then measure and record the findings
  • A. Ask an older sibling to translate the instructions
  • B. Use a trained medical interpreter for communication
  • C. Speak slowly and repeat the instructions louder
  • D. Give the parent written instructions in English

Explanation: A trained medical interpreter supports accurate communication and informed participation in care.

Correct answer: Use a trained medical interpreter for communication
Moderate
  • A. Assume the pain is relieved if the child is quiet
  • B. Reassess pain using the same age-appropriate method
  • C. Repeat the dose immediately if the child remains in bed
  • D. Stop observing the wound once the medicine is given

Explanation: Pain should be reassessed using the same suitable pain scale so that the response to treatment can be evaluated.

Correct answer: Reassess pain using the same age-appropriate method
Very hard
  • A. Weigh the child at different times each day
  • B. Record the child’s weight at the same time each day
  • C. Measure the child’s height after every fluid change
  • D. Estimate hydration from the child’s appetite alone

Explanation: Daily weight measured under similar conditions is a sensitive indicator of fluid gain or loss.

Correct answer: Record the child’s weight at the same time each day
Hard
  • A. Offer oral fluids and recheck after one hour
  • B. Document the findings at the end of the shift
  • C. Assess circulation and immediately notify the nurse in charge
  • D. Provide a quiet activity to reduce the child’s anxiety

Explanation: The combination of tachycardia, pallor, cool extremities and delayed capillary refill suggests impaired circulation and possible shock.

Correct answer: Assess circulation and immediately notify the nurse in charge
Moderate
  • A. Ask the parent to continue the medicines without changes
  • B. Record the medicine names, doses and schedules for prescriber review
  • C. Place the medicines in the bedside locker for later use
  • D. Stop all home medicines until the child leaves hospital

Explanation: Home medicines must be identified, including their dose, route and timing, and checked against the hospital prescription.

Correct answer: Record the medicine names, doses and schedules for prescriber review
  • A. Breastfeeding should stop until discharge from hospital
  • B. Breastfeeding may continue if the infant and mother are clinically able
  • C. Breastfeeding should be replaced with water between feeds
  • D. Breastfeeding is permitted only after every medicine is stopped

Explanation: Continuing breastfeeding supports nutrition, hydration, comfort and the parent-child relationship when there is no clinical…

Correct answer: Breastfeeding may continue if the infant and mother are clinically able
Moderate
  • A. Tell the child that the parent has already decided
  • B. Explain the procedure in simple language and invite questions
  • C. Ask the child to leave all decisions to the healthcare team
  • D. Avoid discussing the procedure to prevent additional fear

Explanation: Children should receive developmentally appropriate information and be involved in decisions as much as possible.

Correct answer: Explain the procedure in simple language and invite questions
Moderate
  • A. Give the caregiver written instructions without discussion
  • B. Ask the caregiver to repeat the medicine and follow-up plan
  • C. Tell the caregiver to contact the ward only if problems become severe
  • D. Advise the caregiver to use the previous home routine without changes

Explanation: Teach-back checks whether the caregiver can explain and follow the plan, rather than merely receiving written information.

Correct answer: Ask the caregiver to repeat the medicine and follow-up plan