Free Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse Exam Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse Exam practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1What is the purpose of the Pediatric Assessment Triangle during the initial visual assessment of a child?

   1. A. To assign a definitive diagnosis before the physical examination
   2. B. To rapidly gauge the severity of illness or injury
   3. C. To determine the exact number of diagnostic resources needed
   4. D. To replace subsequent airway, breathing, and circulation assessment

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The guideline calls the Pediatric Assessment Triangle a "15- to 30-second assessment of the severity of the patient’s illness or injury." It gives an initial severity impression; it does not establish a diagnosis, count resources, or replace the subsequent assessment.

   Reference: National EMS Education Standards: Emergency Medical Responder Instructional Guidelines — Pediatrics, Assessment Process, Patient Assessment, page 108

2. 2What is the primary survey intended to identify in the initial assessment of an ill or injured child?

   1. A. All long-term rehabilitation needs
   2. B. Conditions that immediately threaten life
   3. C. Every minor injury found on detailed examination
   4. D. The final diagnosis before any intervention

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The EMS guidance states, "The Primary Survey Quickly Attempts to Identify Those Conditions That Represent an Immediate Threat to the Patient’s Life." This initial focus differs from a full detailed examination or definitive diagnosis.

   Reference: National EMS Education Standards: Emergency Medical Responder Instructional Guidelines — Patient Assessment, Primary Assessment, page 44

3. 3A preschool child has a barky cough, hoarse voice, and a coarse sound when breathing in. Which upper-airway condition is consistent with this pattern?

   1. A. Viral croup
   2. B. Bronchiolitis
   3. C. Lower-lobe pneumonia
   4. D. Cystic fibrosis exacerbation

   Answer: A

   Explanation: AAP says viral croup "slowly turns into a barky cough" and may cause inspiratory "stridor." The described upper-airway pattern is characteristic of croup rather than the lower-airway conditions listed.

   Reference: AAP Croup in Young Children — Types of croup, Viral croup

4. 4A newborn develops poor feeding, lethargy, and breathing difficulty on the day of birth. Which group B streptococcal (GBS) classification fits this timing and illness?

   1. A. Early-onset GBS disease.
   2. B. Late-onset GBS disease.
   3. C. Asymptomatic GBS colonization.
   4. D. Resolved maternal GBS carriage without infant illness.

   Answer: A

   Explanation: CDC notes, "Most newborns who get GBS disease in the first week of life have symptoms on the day of birth." Poor feeding, lethargy, and respiratory difficulty are listed early signs, making early-onset disease the matching classification.

   Reference: Symptoms of Group B Strep Disease — Symptoms, Newborns

5. 5What physiologic process usually leads from submersion to cardiac arrest in a drowning child?

   1. A. Hypoxia causes respiratory arrest before cardiac arrest.
   2. B. Primary ventricular fibrillation usually precedes oxygen deprivation.
   3. C. Cardiac arrest occurs from electrolyte shifts before breathing stops.
   4. D. A vagal cardiac arrest usually precedes respiratory compromise.

   Answer: A

   Explanation: AHA states, "Drowning generally progresses from initial respiratory arrest due to submersion-related hypoxia to cardiac arrest." Thus the usual sequence begins with hypoxic respiratory arrest, not a primary cardiac mechanism.

   Reference: Part 10: Adult and Pediatric Special Circumstances of Resuscitation — 11.1 Introduction, Drowning

6. 6At a Medicare-participating emergency department, an uninsured child requests care for a possible emergency condition. Which EMTALA protection applies before payment is resolved?

   1. A. An appropriate medical screening exam must be offered
   2. B. Screening may wait until insurance is verified
   3. C. Only a financial eligibility review is required
   4. D. The child must first obtain outpatient authorization

   Answer: A

   Explanation: CMS states, "The hospital must offer you this screening exam, even if you don't have insurance." Insurance questions may be asked only without delaying examination or treatment.

   Reference: You have rights in an emergency room under EMTALA — 1. Give you an appropriate medical screening exam

7. 7Which method is sufficient to perform the initial Pediatric Assessment Triangle before touching the child?

   1. A. Looking and listening to the child
   2. B. Palpating the child's pulses and abdomen
   3. C. Measuring blood pressure and temperature
   4. D. Obtaining a detailed caregiver history

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The guideline says the triangle "Does not require touching the patient; just looking and listening." Palpation, measurements, and history may inform later assessment but are not required for this initial visual impression.

   Reference: National EMS Education Standards: Emergency Medical Responder Instructional Guidelines — Pediatrics, Assessment Process, Patient Assessment, page 108

8. 8During a secondary assessment, how should the physical examination be directed by the child's presenting complaint?

   1. A. Examine systematically with added emphasis on complaint-related areas
   2. B. Examine only the body part mentioned by the caregiver
   3. C. Skip physical examination if the complaint is familiar
   4. D. Focus on unrelated regions before the reported problem

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The EMS secondary-assessment guidance says to "Examine the patient systematically" and "Place special emphasis on areas suggested by the chief complaint." A focused emphasis should be part of a systematic examination.

   Reference: National EMS Education Standards: Emergency Medical Responder Instructional Guidelines — Patient Assessment, Secondary Assessment, page 51

9. 9In a child with croup, what does stridor heard while the child is resting suggest?

   1. A. A reassuring sign of mild disease
   2. B. A sign of potentially more severe croup
   3. C. Proof that the lower airways are normal
   4. D. Proof that bacterial pneumonia is present

   Answer: B

   Explanation: AAP states, "if your child has stridor while resting, it can be a sign of more severe croup." Resting stridor deserves more concern than noise heard only while crying or active.

   Reference: AAP Croup in Young Children — Croup with stridor

10. 10What substance accumulates to cause the yellow skin and eyes of neonatal jaundice?

    1. A. Bilirubin
    2. B. Ammonia
    3. C. Glucose
    4. D. Calcium

    Answer: A

    Explanation: CHOP states, "It is caused by high levels of a substance called bilirubin." The infant's yellow color therefore reflects bilirubin accumulation.

    Reference: Phototherapy for jaundice in newborns — Phototherapy for jaundice in newborns, opening paragraph