CPN CPE III study plan

Map each growth parameter (length/height, weight, head circumference, BMI) to the correct chart type and age range for term and preterm infants through adolescents.

Calculate and interpret z-scores and percentiles for weight-for-age, length-for-age, and BMI-for-age using worked numeric examples.

Distinguish constitutional growth delay from familial short stature using bone age, mid-parental height, and growth velocity calculations.

Sequence the normal milestones of gross motor, fine motor, language, and social development from birth to 5 years with age ranges for each.

Apply a head-to-toe pediatric assessment sequence adapted to infant, toddler, preschool, and school-age cooperation levels.

Identify normal versus abnormal findings in pediatric vital signs using age-specific ranges, including respiratory rate and blood pressure norms.

Demonstrate family-centered communication techniques (open-ended questions, teach-back, shared decision-making) in three written dialogue scenarios.

Adapt assessment and communication for a child with a developmental disability and for a family with limited health literacy.

Differentiate the clinical presentation, first-line management, and referral thresholds for the most common pediatric acute illnesses: otitis media, bronchiolitis, pharyngitis, and gastroenteritis.

Compare asthma and cystic fibrosis on pathophysiology, diagnostic testing, and chronic management priorities.

Outline the nursing management of a child with new-onset type 1 diabetes, including DKA warning signs and family education points.

Explain the assessment and management of a child with congenital heart disease, distinguishing cyanotic from acyanotic defects.

Prioritize nursing interventions for a child with sickle cell vaso-occlusive crisis.

Calculate pediatric weight-based medication doses and verify safe dose ranges against reference limits for 10 drug scenarios.

Identify high-alert pediatric medications and the double-check, smart-pump, and independent-verification safeguards for each.

Explain age-related differences in absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion and how they change dosing in neonates and infants.

Describe the nurse's role in recognizing and reporting an adverse drug event.

Assess a newborn using Apgar scores, gestational age assessment, and newborn physical exam findings, distinguishing normal variants from warning signs.

Explain newborn screening, hearing screening, and bilirubin monitoring timelines and follow-up requirements.

Build an age-specific anticipatory guidance schedule for injury prevention from infancy through adolescence (car seats, safe sleep, drowning, firearms, helmets).

Counsel a family on immunization schedules, contraindications, and vaccine-hesitancy conversations using motivational interviewing.

Apply the pediatric assessment triangle and a primary/secondary survey to three written emergency scenarios.

Calculate and verify weight-based emergency medication and fluid bolus doses, including epinephrine for anaphylaxis and dextrose for hypoglycemia.

Describe perioperative nursing priorities for the pediatric surgical patient across pre-op, intra-op, and post-op phases, including parental presence and emergence delirium.

Sequence nursing actions for status epilepticus, respiratory distress, and suspected sepsis in a child.

Screen for and differentiate common pediatric mental health conditions: ADHD, anxiety, depression, and autism spectrum disorder, using validated screening tools.

Describe behavioral and developmental intervention pathways and the nurse's role in care coordination for each condition.

Apply ethical and legal principles (consent, assent, confidentiality, mandated reporting, scope of practice) to four written pediatric case vignettes.

Apply evidence-based practice steps (ask, acquire, appraise, apply, assess) to one pediatric nursing practice question and grade the evidence.

Identify quality-improvement methods (PDSA cycles, root cause analysis, bundle compliance) and patient-safety practices relevant to pediatric care.

Complete a full-length cumulative practice exam under timed conditions and review every missed item to its source domain.

Re-review the two heaviest domains (1 and 4) using spaced retrieval, targeting any domain scoring below 75%.