PEDS FINAL EXAM 2026 UPDATE
MULTIPLE CHOICES 100 QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES.pdf
1. A 4-year-old child is hospitalized. Which play activity would be MOST
developmentally appropriate for this age group?
A. Playing with a large puzzle with a parent
B. Watching a movie independently
C. Playing with a video game console
D. Building a complex model airplane
Answer: A. Playing with a large puzzle with a parent
Rationale: Preschoolers engage in associative play and benefit from interactive
activities with caregivers. Large puzzles promote fine motor development and
cognitive skills while allowing for social interaction. Options B, C, and D are
either too isolating or developmentally inappropriate for a 4-year-old.
2. According to Erikson's psychosocial stages, which developmental task is the
primary challenge for a school-age child (6-12 years)?
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. Initiative vs. Guilt
C. Industry vs. Inferiority
D. Identity vs. Role Confusion
Answer: C. Industry vs. Inferiority
Rationale: School-age children are in Erikson's stage of Industry vs. Inferiority,
where they develop a sense of competence and achievement through mastering
skills and tasks. Trust vs. Mistrust is infancy, Initiative vs. Guilt is preschool, and
Identity vs. Role Confusion is adolescence.
,3. A 2-month-old infant is brought for a well-child visit. Which developmental
milestone should the nurse expect to observe?
A. Sitting without support
B. Rolling from front to back
C. Lifting head and chest when prone
D. Transferring objects hand-to-hand
Answer: C. Lifting head and chest when prone
Rationale: At 2 months, infants can lift their head and chest when placed prone.
Sitting without support occurs around 6-8 months, rolling over at 4-6 months, and
transferring objects hand-to-hand at 6-7 months.
4. Which statement by a parent of a 15-month-old toddler indicates a need for
further teaching about safety?
A. "I keep all cleaning products in a locked cabinet."
B. "I turned the water heater temperature down to 120°F."
C. "My toddler enjoys playing with small toy pieces."
D. "I have safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs."
Answer: C. "My toddler enjoys playing with small toy pieces."
Rationale: Toddlers are at risk for choking and should not have access to small toy
pieces or objects that can fit through a toilet paper roll. All other statements
demonstrate appropriate safety measures for a toddler.
5. The nurse is assessing a 7-year-old child. Which finding would be
considered developmentally appropriate?
A. Difficulty distinguishing fantasy from reality
B. Concrete operational thinking and ability to classify objects
C. Abstract reasoning about moral dilemmas
D. Egocentric view of the world
Answer: B. Concrete operational thinking and ability to classify objects
Rationale: School-age children (6-12 years) are in Piaget's concrete operational
stage, characterized by logical thinking about concrete events and ability to
,classify objects. Difficulty distinguishing fantasy from reality and egocentrism are
seen in preschool children; abstract reasoning develops in adolescence.
6. An adolescent patient expresses concern about not growing as tall as their
peers. The nurse's BEST response is:
A. "You should start taking growth hormones immediately."
B. "Growth rates vary, and puberty occurs at different ages for everyone."
C. "You will definitely be shorter than your friends forever."
D. "This is something you should not worry about at all."
Answer: B. "Growth rates vary, and puberty occurs at different ages for
everyone."
Rationale: Adolescents often compare themselves to peers and may worry about
growth. The nurse should provide reassurance that growth and development have
wide variations and pubertal changes occur at different ages. Options A, C, and D
are inappropriate and provide either false information or dismiss concerns.
7. A toddler is demonstrating ritualistic behavior by insisting that stories be
read in the exact same order every night. The nurse interprets this behavior
as:
A. A sign of obsessive-compulsive disorder
B. A normal developmental characteristic
C. An indication of cognitive delay
D. A response to a stressful environment
Answer: B. A normal developmental characteristic
Rationale: Toddlers exhibit ritualistic behaviors as part of normal development.
These rituals provide a sense of security, control, and predictability during a stage
when toddlers are asserting independence and exploring their environment.
8. Which fine motor skill would the nurse expect a 12-month-old infant to
have achieved?
, A. Building a tower of 6 blocks
B. Scribbling with a crayon
C. Pincer grasp using thumb and forefinger
D. Drawing a circle
Answer: C. Pincer grasp using thumb and forefinger
Rationale: At 12 months, infants have typically developed a fine pincer grasp.
Building a tower of 6 blocks occurs around 24 months, scribbling at 15-18 months,
and drawing a circle around 3 years.
9. A mother asks about introducing solid foods to her 5-month-old infant. The
nurse's BEST response is:
A. "You can start solid foods at any age."
B. "Wait until 12 months to introduce any solid foods."
C. "Most infants are ready between 4-6 months when they have good head
control."
D. "Start with honey mixed with infant cereal."
Answer: C. "Most infants are ready between 4-6 months when they have good
head control."
Rationale: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends introducing solid
foods around 4-6 months when the infant demonstrates developmental readiness,
including good head control and ability to sit with support. Honey should not be
given to infants under 12 months due to botulism risk.
10. Which statement indicates that an adolescent understands the concept of
body image changes during puberty?
A. "Everyone is going through the same changes at the same time."
B. "I feel awkward sometimes, but I know this is a normal part of growing up."
C. "My body will be exactly the same as my friends."
D. "These changes mean something is wrong with me."
Answer: B. "I feel awkward sometimes, but I know this is a normal part of
growing up."
MULTIPLE CHOICES 100 QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES.pdf
1. A 4-year-old child is hospitalized. Which play activity would be MOST
developmentally appropriate for this age group?
A. Playing with a large puzzle with a parent
B. Watching a movie independently
C. Playing with a video game console
D. Building a complex model airplane
Answer: A. Playing with a large puzzle with a parent
Rationale: Preschoolers engage in associative play and benefit from interactive
activities with caregivers. Large puzzles promote fine motor development and
cognitive skills while allowing for social interaction. Options B, C, and D are
either too isolating or developmentally inappropriate for a 4-year-old.
2. According to Erikson's psychosocial stages, which developmental task is the
primary challenge for a school-age child (6-12 years)?
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. Initiative vs. Guilt
C. Industry vs. Inferiority
D. Identity vs. Role Confusion
Answer: C. Industry vs. Inferiority
Rationale: School-age children are in Erikson's stage of Industry vs. Inferiority,
where they develop a sense of competence and achievement through mastering
skills and tasks. Trust vs. Mistrust is infancy, Initiative vs. Guilt is preschool, and
Identity vs. Role Confusion is adolescence.
,3. A 2-month-old infant is brought for a well-child visit. Which developmental
milestone should the nurse expect to observe?
A. Sitting without support
B. Rolling from front to back
C. Lifting head and chest when prone
D. Transferring objects hand-to-hand
Answer: C. Lifting head and chest when prone
Rationale: At 2 months, infants can lift their head and chest when placed prone.
Sitting without support occurs around 6-8 months, rolling over at 4-6 months, and
transferring objects hand-to-hand at 6-7 months.
4. Which statement by a parent of a 15-month-old toddler indicates a need for
further teaching about safety?
A. "I keep all cleaning products in a locked cabinet."
B. "I turned the water heater temperature down to 120°F."
C. "My toddler enjoys playing with small toy pieces."
D. "I have safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs."
Answer: C. "My toddler enjoys playing with small toy pieces."
Rationale: Toddlers are at risk for choking and should not have access to small toy
pieces or objects that can fit through a toilet paper roll. All other statements
demonstrate appropriate safety measures for a toddler.
5. The nurse is assessing a 7-year-old child. Which finding would be
considered developmentally appropriate?
A. Difficulty distinguishing fantasy from reality
B. Concrete operational thinking and ability to classify objects
C. Abstract reasoning about moral dilemmas
D. Egocentric view of the world
Answer: B. Concrete operational thinking and ability to classify objects
Rationale: School-age children (6-12 years) are in Piaget's concrete operational
stage, characterized by logical thinking about concrete events and ability to
,classify objects. Difficulty distinguishing fantasy from reality and egocentrism are
seen in preschool children; abstract reasoning develops in adolescence.
6. An adolescent patient expresses concern about not growing as tall as their
peers. The nurse's BEST response is:
A. "You should start taking growth hormones immediately."
B. "Growth rates vary, and puberty occurs at different ages for everyone."
C. "You will definitely be shorter than your friends forever."
D. "This is something you should not worry about at all."
Answer: B. "Growth rates vary, and puberty occurs at different ages for
everyone."
Rationale: Adolescents often compare themselves to peers and may worry about
growth. The nurse should provide reassurance that growth and development have
wide variations and pubertal changes occur at different ages. Options A, C, and D
are inappropriate and provide either false information or dismiss concerns.
7. A toddler is demonstrating ritualistic behavior by insisting that stories be
read in the exact same order every night. The nurse interprets this behavior
as:
A. A sign of obsessive-compulsive disorder
B. A normal developmental characteristic
C. An indication of cognitive delay
D. A response to a stressful environment
Answer: B. A normal developmental characteristic
Rationale: Toddlers exhibit ritualistic behaviors as part of normal development.
These rituals provide a sense of security, control, and predictability during a stage
when toddlers are asserting independence and exploring their environment.
8. Which fine motor skill would the nurse expect a 12-month-old infant to
have achieved?
, A. Building a tower of 6 blocks
B. Scribbling with a crayon
C. Pincer grasp using thumb and forefinger
D. Drawing a circle
Answer: C. Pincer grasp using thumb and forefinger
Rationale: At 12 months, infants have typically developed a fine pincer grasp.
Building a tower of 6 blocks occurs around 24 months, scribbling at 15-18 months,
and drawing a circle around 3 years.
9. A mother asks about introducing solid foods to her 5-month-old infant. The
nurse's BEST response is:
A. "You can start solid foods at any age."
B. "Wait until 12 months to introduce any solid foods."
C. "Most infants are ready between 4-6 months when they have good head
control."
D. "Start with honey mixed with infant cereal."
Answer: C. "Most infants are ready between 4-6 months when they have good
head control."
Rationale: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends introducing solid
foods around 4-6 months when the infant demonstrates developmental readiness,
including good head control and ability to sit with support. Honey should not be
given to infants under 12 months due to botulism risk.
10. Which statement indicates that an adolescent understands the concept of
body image changes during puberty?
A. "Everyone is going through the same changes at the same time."
B. "I feel awkward sometimes, but I know this is a normal part of growing up."
C. "My body will be exactly the same as my friends."
D. "These changes mean something is wrong with me."
Answer: B. "I feel awkward sometimes, but I know this is a normal part of
growing up."
