Pediatric ATI Practice Exam

Which statement by the guardian of a 1-year-old toddler indicates an understanding of vital sign norms?

1. "My child's pulse could increase to 150 beats a minute with activity."

2. "My child's temperature should be 96.8 degrees Fahrenheit."

3. "My child should take 40 breaths a minute."

4. "My child's pulse could get as low as 60 beats a minute while asleep."

The correct answer is: "My child's pulse could increase to 150 beats a minute with activity."

The indication that a guardian understands vital sign norms for a 1-year-old toddler is reflected in the statement regarding the child's pulse potentially increasing to 150 beats a minute with activity. In toddlers, normal resting heart rates typically range from 80 to 130 beats per minute. When a toddler engages in physical activity, it is common for their heart rate to increase in order to supply more oxygen to the muscles. An increased pulse rate during activity being as high as 150 beats per minute aligns with physiological responses seen in young children. The other statements present figures that do not accurately reflect the normal ranges for a toddler. A typical temperature for a child is around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, and while individual variations exist, stating that it should be exactly 96.8 degrees Fahrenheit does not acknowledge the normal physiological range. The respiratory rate for a toddler usually falls between 20 to 30 breaths per minute, making a claim of 40 breaths a minute unusually high and likely indicative of distress or exertion. Finally, while bradycardia (a low heart rate) can occur during sleep in some older children, a pulse rate that drops to 60 beats per minute is below the typical resting range for toddlers, which is concerning when considering