NURS 5130 Exam 1 V2 | NURS 5130
Comprehensive Assessment – Pediatric
Assessment Lab | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (NURS5130 Exam 1) | The
University of Texas at Arlington
1. When initiating a physical examination on a 15-month-old toddler, which approach by the
examiner is most likely to facilitate cooperation?
A. Performing the most intrusive procedures, such as ear and throat exams, first.
B. Asking the child for permission before performing each part of the assessment.
C. Separating the child from the parent to establish a professional rapport.
D. Allowing the child to remain on the parent’s lap and using play to introduce equipment.
Answer: D
Rationale: Toddlers often experience stranger anxiety and fear of separation, making the
parent’s lap the ideal location for an exam. Utilizing play helps desensitize the child to
medical instruments like the stethoscope or otoscope. This approach minimizes distress
and ensures a more accurate physiological assessment by keeping the child calm.
2. An examiner is assessing a 4-month-old infant. Which finding regarding the fontanelles
should be documented as a normal physiological variant?
A. A closed anterior fontanelle.
,B. A depressed or sunken anterior fontanelle.
C. A posterior fontanelle that is no longer palpable.
D. A bulging anterior fontanelle while the infant is resting.
Answer: C
Rationale: The posterior fontanelle typically closes between 1 and 2 months of age, so it
should not be palpable at 4 months. In contrast, the anterior fontanelle remains open until
approximately 12 to 18 months to allow for brain growth. A sunken fontanelle indicates
dehydration, while a bulging one indicates increased intracranial pressure, both of which
are abnormal.
3. Which sequence is most appropriate for obtaining vital signs in a sleeping 6-month-old
infant?
A. Respirations, heart rate, temperature.
B. Heart rate, temperature, respirations.
C. Respirations, temperature, heart rate.
D. Temperature, heart rate, respirations.
Answer: A
Rationale: Vital signs in infants should be taken from least invasive to most invasive to
avoid agitating the patient. Counting respirations first while the child is still and quiet
provides the most accurate rate. Temperature is usually the final step because it often
, involves tactile intrusion that may cause the infant to cry, altering heart and respiratory
rates.
4. A 10-year-old child’s height is plotted at the 95th percentile. How should the examiner
interpret this finding to the parents?
A. The child is shorter than 95% of children the same age.
B. The child is taller than 95% of children the same age.
C. The child is taller than 5% of children the same age.
D. The child’s growth is considered delayed for their age group.
Answer: B
Rationale: Percentiles indicate the percentage of the population that falls below a certain
value. Being in the 95th percentile means that out of 100 children, 95 are shorter and only
5 are taller. Consistent growth along a specific curve is generally more significant than a
single percentile reading.
5. During a musculoskeletal assessment of a newborn, the examiner performs the Ortolani
maneuver. What is the primary purpose of this test?
A. To check for spinal cord defects like spina bifida.
B. To detect the presence of developmental dysplasia of the hip.
C. To assess for congenital clubfoot (talipes equinovarus).
D. To evaluate the range of motion in the knee joint.
Comprehensive Assessment – Pediatric
Assessment Lab | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (NURS5130 Exam 1) | The
University of Texas at Arlington
1. When initiating a physical examination on a 15-month-old toddler, which approach by the
examiner is most likely to facilitate cooperation?
A. Performing the most intrusive procedures, such as ear and throat exams, first.
B. Asking the child for permission before performing each part of the assessment.
C. Separating the child from the parent to establish a professional rapport.
D. Allowing the child to remain on the parent’s lap and using play to introduce equipment.
Answer: D
Rationale: Toddlers often experience stranger anxiety and fear of separation, making the
parent’s lap the ideal location for an exam. Utilizing play helps desensitize the child to
medical instruments like the stethoscope or otoscope. This approach minimizes distress
and ensures a more accurate physiological assessment by keeping the child calm.
2. An examiner is assessing a 4-month-old infant. Which finding regarding the fontanelles
should be documented as a normal physiological variant?
A. A closed anterior fontanelle.
,B. A depressed or sunken anterior fontanelle.
C. A posterior fontanelle that is no longer palpable.
D. A bulging anterior fontanelle while the infant is resting.
Answer: C
Rationale: The posterior fontanelle typically closes between 1 and 2 months of age, so it
should not be palpable at 4 months. In contrast, the anterior fontanelle remains open until
approximately 12 to 18 months to allow for brain growth. A sunken fontanelle indicates
dehydration, while a bulging one indicates increased intracranial pressure, both of which
are abnormal.
3. Which sequence is most appropriate for obtaining vital signs in a sleeping 6-month-old
infant?
A. Respirations, heart rate, temperature.
B. Heart rate, temperature, respirations.
C. Respirations, temperature, heart rate.
D. Temperature, heart rate, respirations.
Answer: A
Rationale: Vital signs in infants should be taken from least invasive to most invasive to
avoid agitating the patient. Counting respirations first while the child is still and quiet
provides the most accurate rate. Temperature is usually the final step because it often
, involves tactile intrusion that may cause the infant to cry, altering heart and respiratory
rates.
4. A 10-year-old child’s height is plotted at the 95th percentile. How should the examiner
interpret this finding to the parents?
A. The child is shorter than 95% of children the same age.
B. The child is taller than 95% of children the same age.
C. The child is taller than 5% of children the same age.
D. The child’s growth is considered delayed for their age group.
Answer: B
Rationale: Percentiles indicate the percentage of the population that falls below a certain
value. Being in the 95th percentile means that out of 100 children, 95 are shorter and only
5 are taller. Consistent growth along a specific curve is generally more significant than a
single percentile reading.
5. During a musculoskeletal assessment of a newborn, the examiner performs the Ortolani
maneuver. What is the primary purpose of this test?
A. To check for spinal cord defects like spina bifida.
B. To detect the presence of developmental dysplasia of the hip.
C. To assess for congenital clubfoot (talipes equinovarus).
D. To evaluate the range of motion in the knee joint.
