Pediatrics High-Yield: What the FNP Boards Test About Kids

Clinical High-Yield · 9 min read · April 18, 2026

Well-Child Care and Developmental Milestones

Key milestones (approximate):

Age	Gross Motor	Fine Motor	Language	Social
2 months	Lifts head	Hands unfisted	Coos	Social smile
4 months	Rolls front to back	Reaches for objects	Laughs	Recognizes parents
6 months	Sits with support	Transfers objects	Babbles	Stranger anxiety begins
9 months	Pulls to stand	Pincer grasp developing	"Mama/dada" nonspecific	Waves bye-bye
12 months	Walks with support	Pincer grasp	1–2 words	Separation anxiety
18 months	Runs	Stacks 2–3 blocks	10–20 words	Parallel play
24 months	Climbs stairs	Stacks 6 blocks	2-word phrases	Parallel play

Red flags requiring evaluation:

• No social smile by 3 months
• No babbling by 12 months
• No single words by 16 months
• No 2-word phrases by 24 months
• Any regression in milestones

Immunization Schedule Highlights

• Birth: Hepatitis B
• 2, 4, 6 months: DTaP, IPV, Hib, PCV13, Rotavirus, Hepatitis B (at 6 months)
• 12–15 months: MMR, Varicella, Hib, PCV13, Hepatitis A
• 4–6 years: DTaP, IPV, MMR, Varicella
• 11–12 years: Tdap, MenACWY, HPV (2-dose series)
• Annual: Influenza (≥6 months)

Board pearl: Live vaccines (MMR, Varicella, rotavirus, LAIV) are contraindicated in immunocompromised patients and during pregnancy.

Common Pediatric Illnesses

Otitis media (AOM):

• Most common bacterial cause: S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, M. catarrhalis
• Treatment: Amoxicillin 80–90 mg/kg/day; watchful waiting for mild cases in children ≥2 years

Croup (laryngotracheobronchitis):

• Barking cough, stridor, worse at night; parainfluenza virus
• Treatment: Dexamethasone (single dose), nebulized epinephrine for severe cases

Bronchiolitis:

• RSV most common; wheezing, tachypnea in infants <2 years
• Treatment: Supportive only (no antibiotics, no bronchodilators routinely)

Kawasaki disease:

• Fever >5 days + 4 of 5: Conjunctivitis, rash, lymphadenopathy, strawberry tongue, hand/foot changes
• Treatment: IVIG + aspirin (rare exception to aspirin in children)

Growth and Nutrition

• Failure to thrive: Weight <5th percentile or crossing 2 major percentile lines; evaluate for organic and non-organic causes
• Obesity: BMI ≥95th percentile for age/sex; screen for metabolic syndrome, sleep apnea, orthopedic issues
• Iron deficiency anemia: Screen at 12 months; treat with elemental iron 3–6 mg/kg/day