Preparing for the CPN (Certified Pediatric Nurse) exam? Pathology is one of the areas our deck drills hardest: 330 of its 1060 flashcards focus on pathology. Try the sample questions below — every card is a real question-and-answer pair from the full deck.
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An 8-month-old's weight has dropped from the 50th to the 3rd percentile over 3 months, while length remains at the 40th percentile. What is the most likely clinical classification and the nurse's first diagnostic priority?
Show answer →Failure to Thrive (FTT). The primary priority is a thorough history and observation of a feeding session. FTT is defined as weight <5th percentile or a drop across two major percentiles. In most cases (up to 80%), the cause is inadequate caloric intake (formerly non-organic). PNCB Tip: Always look for the least invasive first step, which is observing the caregiver-infant interaction during feeding before ordering extensive labs. Differentiate this from constitutional growth delay where length and weight are both low but parallel to the curve.
A 16-year-old with an undiagnosed ASD presents to the ED with sudden onset of hemiparesis and facial drooping. What is the most likely mechanism for this event?
Show answer →Paradoxical Embolism. A venous thrombus (e.g., from a DVT) bypassed the pulmonary capillary filter by crossing from the right atrium directly into the left atrium through the ASD. It then entered the systemic circulation and traveled to the brain, causing an embolic stroke. PNCB Tip: While ASDs are acyanotic, they carry a lifetime risk of paradoxical emboli and atrial arrhythmias (AFib/A-flutter) due to right atrial stretching.
A child is admitted with suspected Neisseria meningitidis. Which isolation precautions must be implemented, and for how long?
Show answer →Droplet Precautions (and Standard). Maintain for at least 24 hours AFTER the start of effective antibiotic therapy. N. meningitidis and H. influenzae type b require droplet. CPN Tip: If the question asks about pathogen unknown, start droplet until ruled out. Distractor: Do not confuse with Contact precautions, which are used for certain viral etiologies but not bacterial meningitis.
An 8-year-old with CAH is brought to the ED with lethargy, a BP of 70/40, and a HR of 150. After securing the airway, what is the most critical next step?
Show answer →Aggressive fluid resuscitation with 0.9% Normal Saline (20 mL/kg bolus) and immediate administration of IV Hydrocortisone sodium succinate (Solu-Cortef). Treat the shock and the cortisol deficiency simultaneously. Dextrose (D5NS) should be used if hypoglycemia is present, which is common in adrenal crisis.
A nurse notes a male infant's urethral meatus is located on the dorsal (upper) surface of the penis. Which associated condition should the nurse assess for, as it frequently occurs alongside this defect?
Show answer →This is **Epispadias**. It is frequently associated with **Bladder Exstrophy**, a severe defect where the bladder is exposed outside the abdominal wall. While hypospadias is more common, epispadias is often part of the exstrophy-epispadias complex (EEC). \n\n**Exam Focus:** Assess for urinary incontinence and pubic bone widening (diastasis). Management involves multi-stage surgical reconstruction. Epispadias is much rarer than hypospadias but carries a higher risk of long-term incontinence.
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The full CPN deck contains 1060 flashcards, and 330 of them focus on pathology. This page shows 5 free samples.
Our CPN deck dedicates 330 of 1060 cards (31%) to pathology — always cross-check the official PNCB exam outline for the current blueprint weighting.
Yes — the samples on this page are free, and the CPN preview page has 30 more free cards. Full access to all 1060 cards is a one-time $7.