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NU131 Exam 3 2026/2027 Nursing and Healthcare I
Actual Exam Questions Verified Answers with Detailed
Rationales Grade A
1. The nurse is observing an infant's fine motor skills and pincer grasp. Which of the
following observations indicates development of this skill?
A. Grasping a rattle with the whole hand
B. Transferring a toy from one hand to the other
C. Picking up cereal pieces and placing them in the mouth
D. Bating at a dangling object
Correct Answer: C. Picking up cereal pieces and placing them in the mouth
Rationale: The pincer grasp involves using the thumb and forefinger to pick up small
objects. Picking up cereal pieces demonstrates mastery of this fine motor skill, typically
developing around 9 to 10 months of age.
2. The nurse is assessing reflexes in pediatric clients. Which of the following is an
expected finding?
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A. A 5-month-old who displays hyperextension and fanning of the toes when the sole of
the foot is stroked
B. A 3-month-old who demonstrates no Moro reflex
C. A 6-month-old who exhibits a positive Babinski reflex
D. A 12-month-old who demonstrates a tonic neck reflex
Correct Answer: A. A 5-month-old who displays hyperextension and fanning of the
toes when the sole of the foot is stroked
Rationale: The Babinski reflex (toe fanning when the sole is stroked) is normal in infants
up to approximately 12 to 24 months. A 5-month-old displaying this finding is within the
expected range for this primitive reflex.
3. The nurse is reviewing parent observations of their toddler's response to a new
sibling. Which of the following observations should the nurse associate with
regression?
A. The child wants to feed the new sibling
B. The child wants to wear a diaper just like their new sibling
C. The child asks to hold the new sibling
D. The child helps pick out clothes for the new sibling
Correct Answer: B. The child wants to wear a diaper just like their new sibling
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Rationale: Regression is a coping mechanism in which a child returns to an earlier stage
of development when faced with stress. A toilet-trained toddler wanting to wear a
diaper after the arrival of a new sibling is a classic example of regression.
4. The nurse is preparing to weigh a 6-month-old infant who has presented for a well-
being visit. The last weight was 8 lb. The nurse expects the infant to currently weigh:
A. 12 lb
B. 14 lb
C. 16 lb
D. 18 lb
Correct Answer: C. 16 lb
Rationale: Infants typically double their birth weight by 6 months of age. If the infant's
birth weight was 8 lb, the expected weight at 6 months is 16 lb.
5. The nurse discusses concerns about a 2-year-old being overweight despite healthy
eating. What is an appropriate response?
A. "Children this age have a spinal curvature that causes their abdomen to have a
potbellied appearance."
B. "You should restrict calories immediately."
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C. "Your child needs to be evaluated for thyroid disease."
D. "This is abnormal and requires immediate intervention."
Correct Answer: A. "Children this age have a spinal curvature that causes their
abdomen to have a potbellied appearance."
Rationale: Toddlers typically have a potbellied appearance due to lordosis (exaggerated
lumbar curve) and weak abdominal muscles. This is a normal finding and does not
necessarily indicate overweight.
6. The nurse is caring for a 2-year-old who spilled their drink. To avoid yelling, the
nurse is preventing the development of:
A. Shame
B. Guilt
C. Mistrust
D. Inferiority
Correct Answer: A. Shame
Rationale: According to Erikson, toddlers (ages 2 to 4) are in the Autonomy vs. Shame
and Doubt stage. Avoiding yelling when a toddler makes a mistake helps prevent
feelings of shame and doubt about their abilities.
NU131 Exam 3 2026/2027 Nursing and Healthcare I
Actual Exam Questions Verified Answers with Detailed
Rationales Grade A
1. The nurse is observing an infant's fine motor skills and pincer grasp. Which of the
following observations indicates development of this skill?
A. Grasping a rattle with the whole hand
B. Transferring a toy from one hand to the other
C. Picking up cereal pieces and placing them in the mouth
D. Bating at a dangling object
Correct Answer: C. Picking up cereal pieces and placing them in the mouth
Rationale: The pincer grasp involves using the thumb and forefinger to pick up small
objects. Picking up cereal pieces demonstrates mastery of this fine motor skill, typically
developing around 9 to 10 months of age.
2. The nurse is assessing reflexes in pediatric clients. Which of the following is an
expected finding?
,2|Page
A. A 5-month-old who displays hyperextension and fanning of the toes when the sole of
the foot is stroked
B. A 3-month-old who demonstrates no Moro reflex
C. A 6-month-old who exhibits a positive Babinski reflex
D. A 12-month-old who demonstrates a tonic neck reflex
Correct Answer: A. A 5-month-old who displays hyperextension and fanning of the
toes when the sole of the foot is stroked
Rationale: The Babinski reflex (toe fanning when the sole is stroked) is normal in infants
up to approximately 12 to 24 months. A 5-month-old displaying this finding is within the
expected range for this primitive reflex.
3. The nurse is reviewing parent observations of their toddler's response to a new
sibling. Which of the following observations should the nurse associate with
regression?
A. The child wants to feed the new sibling
B. The child wants to wear a diaper just like their new sibling
C. The child asks to hold the new sibling
D. The child helps pick out clothes for the new sibling
Correct Answer: B. The child wants to wear a diaper just like their new sibling
,3|Page
Rationale: Regression is a coping mechanism in which a child returns to an earlier stage
of development when faced with stress. A toilet-trained toddler wanting to wear a
diaper after the arrival of a new sibling is a classic example of regression.
4. The nurse is preparing to weigh a 6-month-old infant who has presented for a well-
being visit. The last weight was 8 lb. The nurse expects the infant to currently weigh:
A. 12 lb
B. 14 lb
C. 16 lb
D. 18 lb
Correct Answer: C. 16 lb
Rationale: Infants typically double their birth weight by 6 months of age. If the infant's
birth weight was 8 lb, the expected weight at 6 months is 16 lb.
5. The nurse discusses concerns about a 2-year-old being overweight despite healthy
eating. What is an appropriate response?
A. "Children this age have a spinal curvature that causes their abdomen to have a
potbellied appearance."
B. "You should restrict calories immediately."
, 4|Page
C. "Your child needs to be evaluated for thyroid disease."
D. "This is abnormal and requires immediate intervention."
Correct Answer: A. "Children this age have a spinal curvature that causes their
abdomen to have a potbellied appearance."
Rationale: Toddlers typically have a potbellied appearance due to lordosis (exaggerated
lumbar curve) and weak abdominal muscles. This is a normal finding and does not
necessarily indicate overweight.
6. The nurse is caring for a 2-year-old who spilled their drink. To avoid yelling, the
nurse is preventing the development of:
A. Shame
B. Guilt
C. Mistrust
D. Inferiority
Correct Answer: A. Shame
Rationale: According to Erikson, toddlers (ages 2 to 4) are in the Autonomy vs. Shame
and Doubt stage. Avoiding yelling when a toddler makes a mistake helps prevent
feelings of shame and doubt about their abilities.
