NSG 3600 Comprehensive Final Review: Practice
Exams 1,2 & 3 Questions and Answers +
Rationales | 2026 Updates
1. A nurse is assessing a 2-week-old newborn. Which finding should be reported to
the healthcare provider immediately?
A. Heart rate of 140 beats/min while sleeping
B. Respiratory rate of 65 breaths/min with nasal flaring
C. Temperature of 37.2°C (99°F) axillary
D. Slight yellow discoloration of the sclera
Answer: B. Respiratory rate of 65 breaths/min with nasal flaring
Rationale: A respiratory rate >60 breaths/min with nasal flaring indicates respiratory
distress in a newborn. Normal HR is 110-160, mild jaundice is common, and axillary
temp up to 37.5°C is normal.
2. The nurse is teaching parents about sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
prevention. Which statement indicates correct understanding?
A. "We will place our baby on the stomach to sleep."
B. "We will use a firm mattress with no soft bedding."
C. "We will keep the room very warm to prevent chilling."
D. "We will place a soft bumper pad in the crib."
Answer: B. We will use a firm mattress with no soft bedding
Rationale: SIDS prevention includes supine sleeping, firm mattress, no loose bedding,
bumper pads, or soft toys. Room should be cool, not warm.
3. Which reflex should have disappeared by 6 months of age?
A. Babinski reflex
B. Moro reflex
C. Rooting reflex
D. Palmar grasp
Answer: B. Moro reflex
Rationale: The Moro (startle) reflex typically disappears by 4-6 months. Babinski may
,persist up to 12 months, rooting up to 4 months, palmar grasp up to 5-6 months but
often longer.
4. A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to parents of a 9-month-old. Which
statement indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "We will continue to use a rear-facing car seat in the back seat."
B. "We will give our baby whole grapes as a healthy snack."
C. "We will childproof the house, especially the kitchen and stairs."
D. "We will not leave the baby alone in the bathtub."
Answer: B. We will give our baby whole grapes as a healthy snack
Rationale: Whole grapes are a choking hazard for infants and toddlers. They should be
cut into small pieces. The other statements are correct safety measures.
5. The pediatric nurse assesses the toddler's fine motor skills by observing which
task?
A. Buttoning a shirt
B. Writing with a pencil
C. Holding a spoon to eat
D. Using the pincer grasp
Answer: C. Holding a spoon to eat
Rationale: Fine motor skills involve small muscle movements. Holding a spoon is an
expected fine motor task for a toddler (ages 1-3). Buttoning and writing are typical for
older children.
6. According to Piaget, which action is most appropriate to determine object
permanence?
A. Playing the game of peek-a-boo
B. Encouraging the infant to shake a rattle
C. Pushing a button on an overhead mobile
D. Placing the child in a stroller for a walk
Answer: A. Playing peek-a-boo
Rationale: Object permanence is the understanding that objects continue to exist even
when not seen. Peek-a-boo directly tests this concept.
7. Which statement is NOT appropriate for the nurse to include when teaching the
mother of a 10-month-old about safety?
A. "Do not leave small objects on the floor because your baby will be crawling soon."
B. "Keep the side rails up to prevent your baby from falling out of the crib."
, C. "Put safety locks on all cabinets to prevent accidents."
D. "Allow your baby to stay alone for short periods of time to promote independence."
Answer: D. "Allow your baby to stay alone for short periods of time"
Rationale: A 10-month-old requires constant supervision for safety. Leaving an infant
alone is never appropriate.
8. The mother of a 26-month-old is having trouble with discipline. Which response
by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A. "You have to show her that you are boss!"
B. "Tell her she is a bad girl and must be punished."
C. "A 2-minute time-out combined with praise for good behavior is very effective."
D. "Take away her favorite doll until she changes her behavior."
Answer: C. A 2-minute time-out combined with praise
Rationale: Time-outs (generally one minute per year of age) are effective for toddlers
when combined with positive reinforcement.
9. A 4-year-old cried himself to sleep after an argument with a friend who later
got injured. What is this child exhibiting?
A. Magical thinking
B. Inferiority
C. Guilt complex
D. A morality issue
Answer: A. Magical thinking
Rationale: Preschoolers engage in magical thinking, believing their thoughts or wishes
can cause external events. The child likely believes his anger caused his friend's injury.
10. A 6-month-old infant is assessed. Which growth milestone is expected?
A. Birth weight has tripled
B. Birth weight has doubled
C. Posterior fontanel is still open
D. The infant can walk with assistance
Answer: B. Birth weight has doubled
Rationale: Most healthy infants double their birth weight by 6 months and triple it by
their first birthday.
11. A 10-month-old is assessed for fine motor skills. Which finding is age-
appropriate?
A. Stacking three blocks
Exams 1,2 & 3 Questions and Answers +
Rationales | 2026 Updates
1. A nurse is assessing a 2-week-old newborn. Which finding should be reported to
the healthcare provider immediately?
A. Heart rate of 140 beats/min while sleeping
B. Respiratory rate of 65 breaths/min with nasal flaring
C. Temperature of 37.2°C (99°F) axillary
D. Slight yellow discoloration of the sclera
Answer: B. Respiratory rate of 65 breaths/min with nasal flaring
Rationale: A respiratory rate >60 breaths/min with nasal flaring indicates respiratory
distress in a newborn. Normal HR is 110-160, mild jaundice is common, and axillary
temp up to 37.5°C is normal.
2. The nurse is teaching parents about sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
prevention. Which statement indicates correct understanding?
A. "We will place our baby on the stomach to sleep."
B. "We will use a firm mattress with no soft bedding."
C. "We will keep the room very warm to prevent chilling."
D. "We will place a soft bumper pad in the crib."
Answer: B. We will use a firm mattress with no soft bedding
Rationale: SIDS prevention includes supine sleeping, firm mattress, no loose bedding,
bumper pads, or soft toys. Room should be cool, not warm.
3. Which reflex should have disappeared by 6 months of age?
A. Babinski reflex
B. Moro reflex
C. Rooting reflex
D. Palmar grasp
Answer: B. Moro reflex
Rationale: The Moro (startle) reflex typically disappears by 4-6 months. Babinski may
,persist up to 12 months, rooting up to 4 months, palmar grasp up to 5-6 months but
often longer.
4. A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to parents of a 9-month-old. Which
statement indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "We will continue to use a rear-facing car seat in the back seat."
B. "We will give our baby whole grapes as a healthy snack."
C. "We will childproof the house, especially the kitchen and stairs."
D. "We will not leave the baby alone in the bathtub."
Answer: B. We will give our baby whole grapes as a healthy snack
Rationale: Whole grapes are a choking hazard for infants and toddlers. They should be
cut into small pieces. The other statements are correct safety measures.
5. The pediatric nurse assesses the toddler's fine motor skills by observing which
task?
A. Buttoning a shirt
B. Writing with a pencil
C. Holding a spoon to eat
D. Using the pincer grasp
Answer: C. Holding a spoon to eat
Rationale: Fine motor skills involve small muscle movements. Holding a spoon is an
expected fine motor task for a toddler (ages 1-3). Buttoning and writing are typical for
older children.
6. According to Piaget, which action is most appropriate to determine object
permanence?
A. Playing the game of peek-a-boo
B. Encouraging the infant to shake a rattle
C. Pushing a button on an overhead mobile
D. Placing the child in a stroller for a walk
Answer: A. Playing peek-a-boo
Rationale: Object permanence is the understanding that objects continue to exist even
when not seen. Peek-a-boo directly tests this concept.
7. Which statement is NOT appropriate for the nurse to include when teaching the
mother of a 10-month-old about safety?
A. "Do not leave small objects on the floor because your baby will be crawling soon."
B. "Keep the side rails up to prevent your baby from falling out of the crib."
, C. "Put safety locks on all cabinets to prevent accidents."
D. "Allow your baby to stay alone for short periods of time to promote independence."
Answer: D. "Allow your baby to stay alone for short periods of time"
Rationale: A 10-month-old requires constant supervision for safety. Leaving an infant
alone is never appropriate.
8. The mother of a 26-month-old is having trouble with discipline. Which response
by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A. "You have to show her that you are boss!"
B. "Tell her she is a bad girl and must be punished."
C. "A 2-minute time-out combined with praise for good behavior is very effective."
D. "Take away her favorite doll until she changes her behavior."
Answer: C. A 2-minute time-out combined with praise
Rationale: Time-outs (generally one minute per year of age) are effective for toddlers
when combined with positive reinforcement.
9. A 4-year-old cried himself to sleep after an argument with a friend who later
got injured. What is this child exhibiting?
A. Magical thinking
B. Inferiority
C. Guilt complex
D. A morality issue
Answer: A. Magical thinking
Rationale: Preschoolers engage in magical thinking, believing their thoughts or wishes
can cause external events. The child likely believes his anger caused his friend's injury.
10. A 6-month-old infant is assessed. Which growth milestone is expected?
A. Birth weight has tripled
B. Birth weight has doubled
C. Posterior fontanel is still open
D. The infant can walk with assistance
Answer: B. Birth weight has doubled
Rationale: Most healthy infants double their birth weight by 6 months and triple it by
their first birthday.
11. A 10-month-old is assessed for fine motor skills. Which finding is age-
appropriate?
A. Stacking three blocks