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 6-month-old presents with a 2-day history of fever, irritability, and a bulging anterior fontanelle. What does the bulging fontanelle MOST likely indicate?

    Answer: Increased intracranial pressure

    A bulging anterior fontanelle at rest is a sign of increased intracranial pressure and warrants urgent evaluation for meningitis or intracranial pathology.

  2. Which dose of epinephrine is correct for anaphylaxis in a 20 kg pediatric patient using an intramuscular auto-injector?

    Answer: 0.15 mg IM (junior auto-injector)

    For children between 15–30 kg, the 0.15 mg junior epinephrine auto-injector is the appropriate dose administered into the anterolateral thigh.

  3. A 9-year-old presents with high fever, stiff neck, photophobia, and a non-blanching purpuric rash. Which pathogen is MOST commonly associated with this presentation?

    Answer: Neisseria meningitidis

    Neisseria meningitidis is the leading cause of bacterial meningitis with purpuric/petechial rash due to endotoxin-mediated disseminated intravascular coagulation.

  4. A parent reports finding their 2-year-old with an open bottle of acetaminophen. The child has no symptoms currently. What is the recommended antidote?

    Answer: N-acetylcysteine (NAC)

    N-acetylcysteine replenishes glutathione stores and prevents hepatotoxicity from acetaminophen overdose; it is most effective when given within 8 hours.

  5. A 4-month-old presents with a history of inconsolable crying, vomiting, and the parents report 'shaking the baby.' Funduscopic exam reveals bilateral retinal hemorrhages. Which diagnosis is MOST suspected?

    Answer: Abusive head trauma (shaken baby syndrome)

    Bilateral retinal hemorrhages combined with a history consistent with abusive mechanisms strongly suggest abusive head trauma.

  6. Which is the MOST appropriate initial management for a 3-year-old with moderate croup (barking cough, mild stridor at rest, SpO2 97%)?

    Answer: Oral or IM dexamethasone and cool mist humidification

    Moderate croup is treated with a single dose of dexamethasone (0.6 mg/kg) which reduces subglottic edema; cool mist provides comfort.

  7. A 12-year-old presents after a diving accident with cervical spine pain and inability to move his legs. Which is the MOST important initial nursing action?

    Answer: Maintain inline cervical spine immobilization and call for trauma team

    Inline cervical immobilization prevents secondary spinal cord injury; the trauma team should be activated immediately for suspected cervical spine injury.