NSG3600 Final Exam V3 | NSG 3600
Nursing Practice – Children’s Health Exam
Q&A | Galen College of Nursing
1. When performing a physical assessment on a 3-year-old child, which approach should the
nurse take to ensure cooperation?
A. Perform the assessment from head to toe in a systematic order.
B. Allow the child to play with the equipment like the stethoscope first.
C. Examine the throat and ears at the very beginning of the exam.
D. Ask the parents to leave the room to minimize distractions.
Answer: B
Rationale: Toddlers are often fearful of new objects and clinical environments. Allowing
them to touch and play with non-invasive equipment helps build trust and reduces anxiety.
Invasive procedures like ear and throat exams should always be saved for last to prevent
the child from becoming upset early in the assessment.
2. A 2-year-old is admitted with suspected epiglottitis. Which nursing action is the highest
priority?
A. Monitor airway patency and have emergency intubation equipment ready.
B. Assess the child’s throat using a tongue blade.
C. Obtain a throat culture to identify the causative organism.
,D. Encourage the child to lie flat to ease breathing.
Answer: A
Rationale: Epiglottitis is a life-threatening medical emergency that can lead to sudden
airway obstruction. Nurses must never use a tongue blade or swab the throat because this
can trigger a laryngospasm. The child should be kept in a comfortable upright position
while the nurse monitors for signs of respiratory distress.
3. According to Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development, what is the primary
developmental task for an infant (birth to 1 year)?
A. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
B. Initiative vs. Guilt
C. Industry vs. Inferiority
D. Trust vs. Mistrust
Answer: D
Rationale: The infant’s main task is to develop a sense of trust in their caregivers and the
world around them. When needs such as feeding and comfort are met consistently, the
infant learns that the world is a safe place. Failure to establish this trust can lead to lifelong
feelings of insecurity and mistrust.
4. A nurse is teaching a parent about introducing solid foods to a 6-month-old infant. Which
food is typically recommended first?
A. Mashed bananas
, B. Whole cow’s milk
C. Pureed chicken
D. Iron-fortified rice cereal
Answer: D
Rationale: Iron-fortified rice cereal is usually the first solid food introduced because it is
easy to digest and has a low risk of allergic reactions. By 6 months of age, an infant’s
prenatal iron stores begin to deplete, making iron-rich foods necessary. Whole cow’s milk
should not be introduced until after 12 months of age due to potential GI irritation and lack
of nutrients.
5. Which clinical manifestation is a classic sign of pyloric stenosis in a 4-week-old infant?
A. Currant jelly-like stools
B. Bile-stained emesis
C. Projectile vomiting after feedings
D. Abdominal distension and constipation
Answer: C
Rationale: Pyloric stenosis involves the thickening of the pyloric sphincter, which creates a
gastric outlet obstruction. This leads to non-bilious projectile vomiting, typically occurring
shortly after feeding. Infants with this condition often appear hungry shortly after vomiting
and may show an olive-shaped mass in the epigastrium.
Nursing Practice – Children’s Health Exam
Q&A | Galen College of Nursing
1. When performing a physical assessment on a 3-year-old child, which approach should the
nurse take to ensure cooperation?
A. Perform the assessment from head to toe in a systematic order.
B. Allow the child to play with the equipment like the stethoscope first.
C. Examine the throat and ears at the very beginning of the exam.
D. Ask the parents to leave the room to minimize distractions.
Answer: B
Rationale: Toddlers are often fearful of new objects and clinical environments. Allowing
them to touch and play with non-invasive equipment helps build trust and reduces anxiety.
Invasive procedures like ear and throat exams should always be saved for last to prevent
the child from becoming upset early in the assessment.
2. A 2-year-old is admitted with suspected epiglottitis. Which nursing action is the highest
priority?
A. Monitor airway patency and have emergency intubation equipment ready.
B. Assess the child’s throat using a tongue blade.
C. Obtain a throat culture to identify the causative organism.
,D. Encourage the child to lie flat to ease breathing.
Answer: A
Rationale: Epiglottitis is a life-threatening medical emergency that can lead to sudden
airway obstruction. Nurses must never use a tongue blade or swab the throat because this
can trigger a laryngospasm. The child should be kept in a comfortable upright position
while the nurse monitors for signs of respiratory distress.
3. According to Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development, what is the primary
developmental task for an infant (birth to 1 year)?
A. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
B. Initiative vs. Guilt
C. Industry vs. Inferiority
D. Trust vs. Mistrust
Answer: D
Rationale: The infant’s main task is to develop a sense of trust in their caregivers and the
world around them. When needs such as feeding and comfort are met consistently, the
infant learns that the world is a safe place. Failure to establish this trust can lead to lifelong
feelings of insecurity and mistrust.
4. A nurse is teaching a parent about introducing solid foods to a 6-month-old infant. Which
food is typically recommended first?
A. Mashed bananas
, B. Whole cow’s milk
C. Pureed chicken
D. Iron-fortified rice cereal
Answer: D
Rationale: Iron-fortified rice cereal is usually the first solid food introduced because it is
easy to digest and has a low risk of allergic reactions. By 6 months of age, an infant’s
prenatal iron stores begin to deplete, making iron-rich foods necessary. Whole cow’s milk
should not be introduced until after 12 months of age due to potential GI irritation and lack
of nutrients.
5. Which clinical manifestation is a classic sign of pyloric stenosis in a 4-week-old infant?
A. Currant jelly-like stools
B. Bile-stained emesis
C. Projectile vomiting after feedings
D. Abdominal distension and constipation
Answer: C
Rationale: Pyloric stenosis involves the thickening of the pyloric sphincter, which creates a
gastric outlet obstruction. This leads to non-bilious projectile vomiting, typically occurring
shortly after feeding. Infants with this condition often appear hungry shortly after vomiting
and may show an olive-shaped mass in the epigastrium.
