NURS 5130 Exam 2 V1 | NURS 5130
Comprehensive Assessment – Pediatric
Assessment Lab | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (NURS5130 Exam 2) | The
University of Texas at Arlington
1. When examining a 2-year-old child’s ear with an otoscope, in which direction should the
nurse practitioner pull the pinna?
A. Up and back
B. Down and back
C. Straight back
D. Up and forward
Answer: B
Rationale: In children under the age of 3, the external auditory canal is directed upward.
Pulling the pinna down and back helps to straighten the canal for a clearer view of the
tympanic membrane. This technique changes to up and back once the child is older than 3
years.
2. According to Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development, which task is primary for a
toddler aged 1 to 3 years?
A. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
,B. Trust vs. Mistrust
C. Initiative vs. Guilt
D. Industry vs. Inferiority
Answer: A
Rationale: Toddlers are focused on developing a sense of personal control over physical
skills and a sense of independence. Success in this stage leads to feelings of autonomy,
while failure results in feelings of shame and doubt. This stage follows the infancy stage of
Trust vs. Mistrust.
3. At what age should the nurse practitioner expect the anterior fontanel to be completely
closed in a healthy infant?
A. 2 to 4 months
B. 6 to 8 months
C. 12 to 18 months
D. 24 to 36 months
Answer: C
Rationale: The anterior fontanel typically closes between 12 and 18 months of age. In
contrast, the posterior fontanel usually closes much earlier, by 2 to 3 months. Persistent
openness or premature closure can indicate underlying neurological or developmental
issues.
, 4. Which physical assessment finding is considered a medical emergency in a child presenting
with a suspected respiratory infection?
A. Nasal congestion
B. Dry cough
C. Drooling and tripod positioning
D. Vesicular breath sounds
Answer: C
Rationale: Drooling, dysphagia, and tripod positioning are classic signs of epiglottitis,
which can rapidly progress to complete airway obstruction. This condition requires
immediate intervention to maintain airway patency. Unlike a simple dry cough or
congestion, these signs suggest life-threatening distress.
5. A 6-month-old infant should be able to perform which of the following motor skills?
A. Walk with one hand held
B. Sit with support
C. Use a neat pincer grasp
D. Stand alone momentarily
Answer: B
Rationale: By 6 months of age, infants typically have enough trunk control to sit with
support and may begin sitting alone briefly. Pincer grasp and standing alone are milestones
Comprehensive Assessment – Pediatric
Assessment Lab | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (NURS5130 Exam 2) | The
University of Texas at Arlington
1. When examining a 2-year-old child’s ear with an otoscope, in which direction should the
nurse practitioner pull the pinna?
A. Up and back
B. Down and back
C. Straight back
D. Up and forward
Answer: B
Rationale: In children under the age of 3, the external auditory canal is directed upward.
Pulling the pinna down and back helps to straighten the canal for a clearer view of the
tympanic membrane. This technique changes to up and back once the child is older than 3
years.
2. According to Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development, which task is primary for a
toddler aged 1 to 3 years?
A. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
,B. Trust vs. Mistrust
C. Initiative vs. Guilt
D. Industry vs. Inferiority
Answer: A
Rationale: Toddlers are focused on developing a sense of personal control over physical
skills and a sense of independence. Success in this stage leads to feelings of autonomy,
while failure results in feelings of shame and doubt. This stage follows the infancy stage of
Trust vs. Mistrust.
3. At what age should the nurse practitioner expect the anterior fontanel to be completely
closed in a healthy infant?
A. 2 to 4 months
B. 6 to 8 months
C. 12 to 18 months
D. 24 to 36 months
Answer: C
Rationale: The anterior fontanel typically closes between 12 and 18 months of age. In
contrast, the posterior fontanel usually closes much earlier, by 2 to 3 months. Persistent
openness or premature closure can indicate underlying neurological or developmental
issues.
, 4. Which physical assessment finding is considered a medical emergency in a child presenting
with a suspected respiratory infection?
A. Nasal congestion
B. Dry cough
C. Drooling and tripod positioning
D. Vesicular breath sounds
Answer: C
Rationale: Drooling, dysphagia, and tripod positioning are classic signs of epiglottitis,
which can rapidly progress to complete airway obstruction. This condition requires
immediate intervention to maintain airway patency. Unlike a simple dry cough or
congestion, these signs suggest life-threatening distress.
5. A 6-month-old infant should be able to perform which of the following motor skills?
A. Walk with one hand held
B. Sit with support
C. Use a neat pincer grasp
D. Stand alone momentarily
Answer: B
Rationale: By 6 months of age, infants typically have enough trunk control to sit with
support and may begin sitting alone briefly. Pincer grasp and standing alone are milestones
