10 free, exam-style Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) practice questions with answers and explanations. No signup required. Work through them below, then take the full free CPN practice test to study every exam domain.
A nurse performs a Pediatric Assessment Triangle (PAT) on a 14-month-old in triage. The child is sitting upright in his mother's lap, leaning slightly forward with audible inspiratory stridor. He has mild subcostal retractions, and his skin color is pink. The MOST appropriate next action is to:
Correct answer: B - Maintain the child's position of comfort and obtain a complete set of vital signs
A 4-year-old who is non-verbal due to global developmental delay is admitted following a tonsillectomy. The nurse needs to assess the child's postoperative pain. Which pain assessment tool is MOST appropriate for this patient?
Correct answer: C - Revised FLACC (r-FLACC) Scale
A 5-month-old is brought to the emergency department after the mother reports the infant 'rolled off the couch this morning.' On examination, the nurse notes a 3 cm bruise to the left ear and patterned bruising on the upper left arm. The infant is developmentally unable to sit or roll independently. The nurse's MOST appropriate action is to:
Correct answer: B - Notify the provider of concern for non-accidental trauma and initiate a child protective services report
During a routine 9-month well-child visit, the nurse observes that the infant cannot sit without support, does not babble, and shows no clear preference for the caregiver over strangers. The infant was born full-term at 37 weeks gestation. The MOST appropriate nursing action is to:
Correct answer: C - Refer the infant for a formal developmental evaluation and Early Intervention services
A 3-year-old presents to the emergency department with a 2-day history of a barking cough. The child now has inspiratory stridor at rest, severe substernal retractions, a respiratory rate of 48, and appears anxious. The PRIORITY nursing intervention is to:
Correct answer: B - Prepare to administer nebulized racemic epinephrine and oral or IM dexamethasone
A nurse is reviewing newly written orders for a 4-month-old infant admitted with acute otitis media. Which medication order requires the nurse to contact the provider for clarification BEFORE administration?
Correct answer: C - Ibuprofen 50 mg PO every 6 hours PRN for fever or pain
A 9-year-old is admitted to the pediatric unit with new-onset diabetic ketoacidosis. The blood glucose is 542 mg/dL, venous pH is 7.18, and the child is alert but exhibiting deep, rapid respirations. After IV access has been established, the nurse anticipates the FIRST intervention will be:
Correct answer: C - Administer 0.9% sodium chloride 10 to 20 mL/kg as an IV bolus
A 12-month-old is at the clinic for a routine well-child visit, where MMR and varicella vaccines are due. Which finding in the child's history represents a TRUE contraindication to administering these vaccines today?
Correct answer: C - A documented history of severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)
A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to parents of a healthy 18-month-old at a well-child visit. Which statement made by the parents indicates a NEED for further teaching?
Correct answer: A - 'We turned his car seat to face forward last month when he reached 20 pounds.'
A 12-year-old with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia tells the nurse, 'I don't want chemotherapy. I just want to go home.' The patient's parents have already signed consent for the treatment, which is scheduled to begin the following morning. The nurse's MOST appropriate INITIAL action is to:
Correct answer: C - Explore the child's specific concerns and fears, then notify the interdisciplinary healthcare team
The Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) exam is organized into 4 knowledge domains. These free practice questions are drawn from across them so you can see where you're strong and where to study:
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