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Exam Review

Key Facts: PED-BC Exam

150

Total Questions

ANCC

3 hours

Exam Time

ANCC

$395

Exam Fee

ANCC

ANCC PED-BC has 150 multiple-choice questions (125 scored and 25 pretest) and three hours of active testing. The passing scaled score is 350, with a maximum possible score of 500. Applications close December 31, 2026; testing ends December 31, 2027. Initial fees are $395 for nonmembers, $295 for ANA members, and $340 for SPN members.

Sample PED-BC Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the PED-BC exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 145+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A 4-year-old child is brought to the emergency department with a barking cough, inspiratory stridor, and mild respiratory distress. The nurse suspects croup. Which of the following interventions is the highest priority?
A.Administering a nebulized bronchodilator
B.Administering a single dose of oral dexamethasone
C.Preparing for immediate intubation
D.Obtaining a chest X-ray
Explanation: For mild to moderate croup, a single dose of oral dexamethasone (0.15-0.6 mg/kg) is first-line therapy per current pediatric guidelines because it reduces airway inflammation and ED return visits. Nebulized bronchodilators are not routinely used for croup. Intubation is reserved for severe respiratory distress. A chest X-ray is not the immediate priority in typical croup.
2When assessing a 2-month-old infant, which of the following findings would be most concerning for a diagnosis of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH)?
A.Symmetrical gluteal folds
B.Positive Ortolani sign
C.Equal leg length
D.Full abduction of the hips
Explanation: A positive Ortolani sign (a 'clunk' felt when the hip is abducted and relocated) is a key indicator of developmental dysplasia of the hip in infants. Asymmetrical gluteal folds, unequal leg length, and limited hip abduction are also signs of DDH. Symmetrical folds, equal leg length, and full abduction are normal findings.
3A 10-year-old child with type 1 diabetes mellitus has a blood glucose level of 60 mg/dL. The child is conscious and able to swallow. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial intervention?
A.Administer subcutaneous glucagon
B.Give 4 ounces of orange juice
C.Provide a snack of crackers and cheese
D.Administer a dose of rapid-acting insulin
Explanation: For a conscious child with hypoglycemia, the most appropriate initial intervention is to provide a fast-acting carbohydrate, such as 4 ounces of orange juice. This will raise the blood glucose level quickly. A snack with protein and carbohydrates should be given after the initial treatment to maintain the blood glucose level. Glucagon is used for severe hypoglycemia when the child is unconscious. Insulin would further lower the blood glucose level.
4A nurse is providing teaching to the parents of a child with a newly diagnosed seizure disorder. Which of the following statements by the parents indicates a need for further teaching?
A."We should not leave our child unattended in the bathtub."
B."We will place a padded tongue blade in our child's mouth during a seizure."
C."Our child should wear a medical alert bracelet."
D."We will keep a record of our child's seizures."
Explanation: Placing a tongue blade or any object in the mouth of a child having a seizure is contraindicated as it can cause injury. The other statements are all appropriate safety measures for a child with a seizure disorder.
5A 6-year-old child is scheduled for a tonsillectomy. Which of the following findings in the child's preoperative assessment would be most important to report to the surgeon?
A.A history of frequent sore throats
B.A loose deciduous tooth
C.A temperature of 99.0°F (37.2°C)
D.A recent upper respiratory infection
Explanation: A recent upper respiratory infection increases the risk of complications during and after a tonsillectomy, such as laryngospasm or bronchospasm. The surgeon should be notified of this finding as the surgery may need to be postponed. A history of frequent sore throats is the reason for the surgery. A loose tooth should be noted, but it is not as critical as a recent URI. A temperature of 99.0°F is within normal limits.
6A nurse is administering a medication to a 3-year-old child. Which of the following is the most appropriate method to gain the child's cooperation?
A.Telling the child the medication is candy
B.Restraining the child firmly
C.Giving the child a choice of a cup or a spoon to take the medication
D.Mixing the medication in the child's favorite juice
Explanation: Giving a toddler a choice, such as a cup or a spoon, can help them feel a sense of control and increase their cooperation. Deceiving the child by calling medication candy can lead to mistrust. Restraining the child should be a last resort. Mixing medication in a large volume of liquid is not recommended as the child may not finish it all and receive the full dose.
7A nurse is caring for a 12-year-old child who is in Buck's traction for a fractured femur. Which of the following is a priority nursing intervention for this child?
A.Ensuring the weights are resting on the floor
B.Performing frequent neurovascular checks of the affected extremity
C.Encouraging the child to perform active range of motion exercises with the unaffected extremities
D.Providing a high-carbohydrate diet
Explanation: For a child in Buck's traction, frequent neurovascular assessment of the affected extremity is the priority to detect compartment syndrome or vascular compromise early. Weights must hang freely and never rest on the floor. Checks are typically performed every 2-4 hours (or per protocol), not every 8 hours. Active range of motion of unaffected extremities and a protein- and calcium-rich diet are important but secondary to neurovascular monitoring.
8A nurse is providing discharge instructions to the parents of a child who has had a febrile seizure. Which of the following statements by the nurse is most appropriate?
A."Febrile seizures are very rare in young children."
B."Your child will likely develop epilepsy."
C."Most children with febrile seizures have no long-term health problems."
D."You should give your child aspirin for fevers."
Explanation: It is important to reassure the parents of a child with a febrile seizure that the prognosis is generally excellent and most children do not have any long-term health problems. Febrile seizures are common in young children. There is a slightly increased risk of epilepsy, but most children do not develop it. Aspirin should not be given to children with fevers due to the risk of Reye syndrome.
9A nurse is caring for a 5-year-old child with a diagnosis of acute glomerulonephritis. Which of the following findings is consistent with this diagnosis?
A.Hypotension
B.Polyuria
C.Hematuria
D.Weight loss
Explanation: Acute glomerulonephritis is characterized by inflammation of the glomeruli, leading to hematuria (blood in the urine), proteinuria, hypertension, and edema. Therefore, hematuria is a classic finding. Hypotension, polyuria, and weight loss are not typically associated with this condition.
10A school nurse is screening a 7-year-old child for scoliosis. Which of the following findings would be suggestive of scoliosis?
A.Symmetrical shoulder height
B.A prominent thoracic hump when the child bends forward
C.Equal distance between the arms and the body
D.A straight vertebral line
Explanation: When a child with scoliosis bends forward at the waist (Adam's forward bend test), a prominent hump on one side of the back is a classic sign. Asymmetrical shoulder height, unequal distance between the arms and the body, and a curved vertebral line are also indicators of scoliosis.

About the PED-BC Exam

The ANCC Pediatric Nursing board certification examination is a competency based examination that provides a valid and reliable assessment of the entry-level clinical knowledge and skills of registered nurses in the pediatric specialty after initial RN licensure.

Exam sponsor: ANCC. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

150 questions

Time Limit

3 hours

Passing Score

350 scaled score (maximum 500)

Exam / Certification Fees

$395

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: 75% (2025 first-time candidates). ANCC reports 218 first-time pediatric examinees and 164 passing in 2025, a rounded 75% pass rate; this is not a passing-score threshold. This describes exam candidates, not OpenExamPrep users or results from using our resources. Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

42%

Assessment and Diagnosis

Pediatric assessment tools, development, pathophysiology, medications, diagnostics, diverse health practices, psychosocial assessment, reconciliation, and specimen collection.

31%

Planning and Implementation

Individualized coordination, measurable outcomes, safe interventions and medication administration, quality measures, interactions, ethics, trends, prioritization, and delegation.

27%

Evaluation

Family adaptation, chronic disease management, health promotion, expected treatment response, therapeutic communication, teaching, and learning evaluation.

Preparing for the PED-BC Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 350 scaled score (maximum 500)
  • Exam length: 150 questions
  • Time limit: 3 hours
  • Exam / certification fees: $395 Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 145 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

PED-BC: Suggested Study Strategy

1Review the content outline provided by ANCC to identify areas where you need to focus your studying.
2Use practice questions to familiarize yourself with the format and content of the exam.
3Develop a study plan and stick to it.
4Join a study group to share knowledge and support with other nurses preparing for the exam.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the PED-BC exam?

The PED-BC exam is the Pediatric Nursing Certification exam offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). It is for registered nurses who want to demonstrate their expertise in pediatric nursing.

How many questions are on the PED-BC exam?

The PED-BC exam has 150 questions. 125 are scored and 25 are unscored pretest questions.

How long do I have to complete the PED-BC exam?

You have 3 hours to complete the exam.

What is the passing score for the PED-BC exam?

ANCC requires a scaled score of at least 350; the maximum possible scaled score is 500. This is not a published raw percentage cutoff.

How much does it cost to take the PED-BC exam?

The exam fee is $395 for non-members and $295 for members of the American Nurses Association (ANA).