ATI Pediatric Nursing Respiratory and Cardiovascular Exam

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Sample questions from ATI Pediatric Nursing Respiratory and Cardiovascular Exam

This material has 90 questions with answers and rationales. Here are the first 5.

1. 1.Which respiratory finding is expected in a healthy newborn during the first hours after birth?

   • A.Respirations are regular at 18 breaths/min
   • B.Respirations are irregular, with brief pauses of less than 10 seconds
   • C.Intercostal retractions occur with each inspiration
   • D.Persistent nasal flaring occurs during quiet sleep

   Rationale: Newborn respirations are often irregular, and brief pauses of less than 10 seconds can be normal when there is no color change or bradycardia. A regular rate of 18 breaths/min is below the expected newborn range. Persistent nasal flaring and retractions indicate increased work of breathing, not normal transition.

2. 2.During a home visit, a parent asks why an infant younger than 6 months is at increased risk for respiratory distress. Which explanation is most accurate?

   • A.The infant's alveoli are larger and more numerous than an adult's
   • B.The infant has a fully developed cough reflex that rapidly clears secretions
   • C.The infant primarily breathes through the mouth when asleep
   • D.The infant's narrow airways can become obstructed by a small amount of edema or mucus

   Rationale: An infant's small airway diameter means even modest swelling or secretions can substantially increase airway resistance. The cough reflex is not fully effective in young infants, so it does not rapidly clear secretions. Infants are preferential nasal breathers, especially during feeding, and their lungs are still developing rather than having larger, more numerous alveoli than an adult's.

3. 3.Which assessment finding is most important to report for a 2-month-old with a respiratory infection?

   • A.Respiratory rate of 58 breaths/min while calm
   • B.Nasal congestion that improves after saline drops
   • C.A brief cough during feeding without color change
   • D.Periodic breathing with pauses of 5 seconds during sleep

   Rationale: A calm respiratory rate of 58 breaths/min is above the expected range for a young infant and warrants further assessment, particularly in the setting of infection. Brief pauses of 5 seconds can be normal periodic breathing if there is no associated color change or bradycardia. Congestion that improves with saline and an isolated cough without color change are less concerning than tachypnea.

4. 4.The parent of a 4-month-old asks how to reduce the risk of sudden infant death and support safe sleep. Which instructions should the nurse include? Select all that apply.

   • A.Keep soft bedding and stuffed toys out of the sleep space
   • B.Position the infant prone after feeding to prevent aspiration
   • C.Place the infant supine for every sleep
   • D.Use a firm, flat sleep surface with a fitted sheet
   • E.Share a room without sharing the same sleep surface

   Answer and rationale are in the full material.

5. 5.Which cardiovascular finding is expected in a healthy 7-month-old during a routine examination?

   • A.A blood pressure of 150/90 mm Hg
   • B.A fixed split second heart sound that is new and persistent
   • C.A resting heart rate of 120 beats/min
   • D.A resting heart rate of 48 beats/min

   Answer and rationale are in the full material.