CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALE LATEST 2026
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The NU 402 Family Nursing exam comprehensively assesses nursing care for
childbearing and childrearing families. Key topics include the Calgary Family
Assessment Model (structural, developmental, functional dimensions),
genograms and ecomaps for family assessment, and family systems theory.
Maternal-newborn content covers prenatal care, labor and delivery,
postpartum management, newborn assessment, and high-risk conditions
(preeclampsia, hemorrhage, gestational diabetes). Pediatric content includes
growth and development, common childhood illnesses, congenital anomalies
(cleft lip/palate, clubfoot), chronic illness management (asthma, diabetes),
family coping, caregiver role strain, and developmental disabilities. The exam
emphasizes family-centered care, therapeutic communication, and evidence-
based nursing interventions across the perinatal continuum.
1. A girl is noted to walk with an uneven gait, and her shoulders appear uneven.
The left shoulder sits lower than the right shoulder, and her waist appears tilted.
Which condition is the girl most likely experiencing?
A. Internal femoral torsion
B. Hip dysplasia
C. Clubfoot
D. Scoliosis
Answer: D
Rationale: Scoliosis is characterized by a lateral curvature of the spine, which
often presents with uneven shoulders, a tilted waist, and an uneven gait . This
presentation is classic for scoliosis, unlike other conditions such as hip dysplasia or
clubfoot.
2. The nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
The curve in her back was treated with spinal fusion with rod insertion. Which is
the priority nursing intervention in the postoperative period?
A. Promote adequate oral fluid intake
B. Keep oxygen saturation within normal limits
C. Ensure placement of an indwelling urinary catheter
D. Maintain a straight back, no bending
, Answer: B
Rationale: After spinal fusion surgery, monitoring respiratory status is the
priority. Patients are at risk for respiratory complications due to anesthesia and
pain that limits deep breathing . Maintaining adequate oxygenation is the top
priority in postoperative care.
3. A nurse is providing instructions to the parents of a child with scoliosis
regarding the use of a brace. Which statement by the parents indicates a need for
further teaching?
A. "I will encourage my child to perform prescribed exercises."
B. "I will have my child wear soft fabric clothing under the brace."
C. "I should apply lotion under the brace to prevent skin breakdown."
D. "I should avoid the use of powder because it will cake under the brace."
Answer: C
Rationale: Lotions and powders should NOT be applied under a brace because
they can lead to skin breakdown and irritation . Soft fabric clothing should be worn
under the brace to protect the skin.
4. A mother brings her infant to a clinic for treatment after a diagnosis of clubfoot
was made at birth. Which statement by the mother indicates a need for further
teaching regarding this disorder?
A. "Treatment needs to be started as soon as possible."
B. "I realize my infant will require care until full growth."
C. "I need to bring my infant back to the clinic in 1 month for a new cast."
D. "I need to come to the clinic every week with my infant for the casting."
Answer: C
Rationale: Clubfoot treatment using the Ponseti method typically requires
weekly cast changes, not monthly changes . Frequent cast changes (every 1-2
weeks) are necessary to gradually correct the deformity.
5. A nurse prepares a list of home care instructions for the parents of a child who
has a plaster cast applied to the left forearm. Which instructions should be
included? (Select all that apply.)
A. Use fingertips to lift the cast while it is drying
B. Do not put small toys in the cast
C. Contact the physician if the child complains of numbness or tingling in the
extremity
D. Use a padded ruler to scratch under the cast if it itches
E. Place a heating pad on the cast if fingers feel cold
F. Elevate the extremity on pillows for the first 24 to 48 hours after casting
, Answer: B, C, F
Rationale: Correct cast care includes: do not put small objects inside the cast,
report numbness or tingling (signs of neurovascular compromise), and elevate the
extremity for the first 24-48 hours to prevent swelling . Do not scratch under the
cast (can cause skin breakdown) or apply heat (can cause burns).
6. A nurse is providing teaching to a parent of a child who has a fracture of an
epiphyseal plate. Which statement should the nurse make?
A. "The blood supply to the bone is increased."
B. "Normal bone growth can be affected."
C. "Marrow can be lost through the fracture site."
D. "The younger the child, the longer the healing process will be."
Answer: B
Rationale: The epiphyseal plate (growth plate) is responsible for longitudinal
bone growth. Fractures involving the growth plate can potentially affect future
bone growth, making this a serious injury that requires careful management .
7. A child has a right femur fracture caused by a motor vehicle accident and is
placed in skin traction temporarily until surgery can be performed. During
assessment, the nurse notes that the dorsalis pedis pulse is absent on the right foot.
What action should the nurse take?
A. Notify the physician
B. Continue to monitor
C. Apply a warm pack to the foot
D. Elevate the foot
Answer: A
Rationale: Absence of a dorsalis pedis pulse is a sign of neurovascular
compromise that requires immediate notification of the physician . This could
indicate compartment syndrome or vascular injury that requires urgent intervention
to prevent tissue damage.
8. The nurse is providing care to a 7-year-old child who has been diagnosed with
avascular necrosis. The patient's guardians ask the nurse what to expect due to this
diagnosis. Which would be appropriate information to provide to the parents?
A. The child will be hospitalized and placed in traction
B. The child will be treated surgically placing a femoral screw
C. The child will be placed in a Pavlik harness for several weeks
D. The child will be given medication while on bedrest
Answer: A
, Rationale: Avascular necrosis (Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease) involves the death
of bone tissue due to lack of blood supply. Treatment typically involves
hospitalization and traction to keep the femoral head properly positioned within the
acetabulum while healing occurs .
9. Children with Perthes disease (avascular necrosis) should: (Select all that
apply.)
A. Maintain a diet high in protein, vitamins, and minerals
B. Sleep on a firm mattress to prevent contractures
C. Avoid weight bearing on the affected extremity
D. Be allowed to play basketball
Answer: A, B, C
Rationale: Management of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease includes a high-protein,
high-vitamin, high-mineral diet to support bone healing; sleeping on a firm
mattress to prevent contractures; and avoiding weight bearing on the affected
extremity (often requiring crutches or wheelchair) .
10. A child comes into the clinic with left thigh pain and a lump over the distal
femur. The nurse is aware that these symptoms can be linked to which medical
problems? (Select all that apply.)
A. Ewing sarcoma
B. Osteosarcoma
C. Osteoarthritis
D. Osgood-Schlatter disease
Answer: A and B
Rationale: Thigh pain and a lump over the distal femur are concerning for bone
tumors such as osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma . Osteosarcoma commonly
occurs around the knee (distal femur or proximal tibia).
11. In the Calgary Family Assessment Model (CFAM), which three major
categories of family life are assessed?
A. Structural, developmental, and functional
B. Physical, psychological, and social
C. Acute, chronic, and terminal
D. Cognitive, affective, and behavioral
Answer: A
Rationale: The Calgary Family Assessment Model focuses on three major
categories: structural, developmental, and functional dimensions . These
dimensions provide a comprehensive framework for family assessment in nursing
practice.