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DOH Paediatric Nursing Practice Questions
Paediatric questions test normal development, the sick child, dehydration and common childhood illnesses, plus weight-based medication safety. Below are 5 free sample questions for the DOH Registered Nurse exam, each with the answer and a rationale.
What this topic covers
- Growth and development milestones
- Paediatric vital signs and pain scales
- Dehydration and oral rehydration
- Croup, bronchiolitis and epiglottitis
- Febrile seizures
- Child safety and safeguarding
The full bank has 90 paediatric nursing questions, part of 1,500 questions across 16 nursing topics.
Free DOH paediatric nursing questions
1. Which finding is characteristic of croup (laryngotracheobronchitis)?
- A. Fine crackles heard only at the lung bases
- B. Drooling and inability to swallow saliva
- C. A barking, seal-like cough
- D. Productive cough with thick green sputum
Show answer and rationale
Croup typically causes a barking cough, hoarseness and inspiratory stridor, often worse at night. Drooling and difficulty swallowing suggest epiglottitis.
Reference: Wong's Nursing Care of Infants and Children – croup
2. At approximately what age does an infant typically begin to smile socially in response to a parent's face?
- A. Around 5 months
- B. At birth
- C. Around 8 months
- D. Around 2 months
Show answer and rationale
A social (responsive) smile usually appears by about 6 to 8 weeks of age. Absence of a social smile by 3 months warrants further developmental assessment.
Reference: Wong's Nursing Care of Infants and Children – developmental milestones
3. Which test is the standard diagnostic test for cystic fibrosis?
- A. Chest X-ray
- B. Stool culture
- C. Serum amylase
- D. Sweat chloride test
Show answer and rationale
An elevated sweat chloride concentration confirms cystic fibrosis. A chest X-ray may show lung changes but is not diagnostic.
Reference: Wong's Nursing Care of Infants and Children – cystic fibrosis
4. A nurse is reviewing the vital signs of a calm, resting 8-year-old. Which finding should the nurse report?
- A. Heart rate 90 beats/min
- B. Heart rate 150 beats/min
- C. Blood pressure 102/64 mmHg
- D. Respiratory rate 20 breaths/min
Show answer and rationale
A resting heart rate of 150 beats/min is tachycardic for a school-age child, whose normal resting rate is roughly 70 to 120 beats/min. The other values are within normal limits for this age.
Reference: Wong's Nursing Care of Infants and Children – paediatric vital signs
5. An infant with intussusception is awaiting an air enema reduction. The nurse notices the infant has passed a normal brown stool. What should the nurse do?
- A. Start oral feeds straight away
- B. Continue preparing for the procedure as planned
- C. Notify the provider, as it may indicate spontaneous reduction
- D. Give a laxative to clear the remaining bowel
Show answer and rationale
Passage of a normal brown stool may mean the intussusception has reduced on its own, which could change the treatment plan, so the provider must be informed. Feeding or laxatives should not be started without a prescription.
Reference: Wong's Nursing Care of Infants and Children – intussusception
Study tip
Never examine the throat of a child with suspected epiglottitis. It is a classic exam trap.
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