Practice Test GeeksCPEN - Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse Practice Test
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Basic Exam Flashcards

7 cards from real CPEN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Basic Exam flashcards as text

  1. A 4-year-old presents with stridor at rest, drooling, and preference for the tripod position. Which condition is the MOST likely diagnosis?

    Answer: Epiglottitis

    Epiglottitis classically presents with the 'three Ds'—drooling, dysphagia, distress—plus tripod positioning and toxic appearance.

  2. During a pediatric resuscitation, you calculate the correct endotracheal tube size for a 6-year-old. Using the formula (Age/4) + 4, which size is correct?

    Answer: 5.5 mm cuffed

    The formula (6/4) + 4 = 5.5 mm; cuffed tubes are now acceptable in children over 1 year of age per current PALS guidelines.

  3. A 2-year-old with a 3-day history of diarrhea has sunken eyes, dry mucous membranes, and decreased skin turgor. His weight is 12 kg. What is the FIRST priority intervention?

    Answer: Obtain IV access and give a 20 mL/kg NS bolus

    Signs of moderate-to-severe dehydration require prompt IV fluid resuscitation with a 20 mL/kg isotonic saline bolus.

  4. Which pain assessment tool is MOST appropriate for a non-verbal 18-month-old?

    Answer: FLACC Scale

    The FLACC scale (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability) is a validated behavioral pain tool for non-verbal infants and toddlers.

  5. A 10-year-old is brought in after a generalized tonic-clonic seizure lasting 8 minutes that has stopped. He is now postictal. Which intervention is MOST appropriate at this time?

    Answer: Place in a lateral recovery position and monitor airway

    A postictal child who has stopped seizing should be placed laterally to protect the airway and prevent aspiration while being monitored.

  6. An 8-month-old presents with bilious vomiting, inconsolable crying, and a 'currant jelly' stool. Which diagnosis should be IMMEDIATELY suspected?

    Answer: Intussusception

    Bilious vomiting, intermittent colicky pain, and currant jelly stool are the classic triad of intussusception, a surgical emergency.

  7. When administering activated charcoal to a pediatric patient, which condition is an ABSOLUTE contraindication?

    Answer: Unprotected airway or altered mental status

    Activated charcoal is absolutely contraindicated when the airway is unprotected due to the high risk of aspiration pneumonitis.