NU 170 NURSING FUNDAMENTALS EXAM 1 (PDF) | 2026
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS + RATIONALES | STUDY GUIDE |
100% CORRECT
1. According to Erikson's stages of development, which psychosocial task is the primary
challenge for a toddler (1-3 years)?
A) Trust vs. Mistrust
B) Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
C) Initiative vs. Guilt
D) Industry vs. Inferiority
Correct Answer: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Rationale: Erikson's theory identifies the toddler stage as "Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt,"
where the child is striving to assert independence and self-control. Trust vs. Mistrust is the task
for infants, Initiative vs. Guilt is for preschoolers, and Industry vs. Inferiority is for school-age
children .
2. A 2-year-old child is playing alongside other children but not interacting with them.
Which type of play is this child demonstrating?
A) Solitary play
B) Parallel play
C) Associative play
D) Cooperative play
Correct Answer: Parallel play
Rationale: Parallel play, where children play beside but not with each other, is typical for
toddlers aged 1-3 years. Solitary play is more common in infants, while cooperative play is
typical of preschool and school-age children .
3. According to Piaget's theory of cognitive development, an 8-year-old child is in which
stage?
A) Sensorimotor
B) Preoperational
C) Concrete operational
D) Formal operational
Correct Answer: Concrete operational
Rationale: Piaget's concrete operational stage spans from approximately 7 to 11 years. Children
in this stage develop logical thinking about concrete events and understand concepts like
conservation. Sensorimotor is for infancy, preoperational for ages 2-7, and formal operational for
ages 11-16 .
4. The parent of a 5-year-old child hospitalized for a minor procedure reports that the child
has started wetting the bed again. What is the nurse's best response?
, A) "We should restrict fluids after dinner to prevent this."
B) "The child must have a urinary tract infection and should be tested."
C) "This is a sign of regression and is common during hospitalization."
D) "This is unacceptable behavior and needs to be addressed."
Correct Answer: "This is a sign of regression and is common during hospitalization."
Rationale: Regression is a common stress response in hospitalized children, especially
preschoolers, where they revert to earlier developmental behaviors like bedwetting. This reaction
is typically temporary and should be managed with patience, not punishment .
5. When providing discharge teaching to the parents of a school-age child, the nurse should
ensure written instructions are provided for any home treatments and that teaching is:
A) At the developmental level of the child
B) Only for the parents to ensure compliance
C) Completed just before discharge
D) General and not specific to the child's condition
Correct Answer: At the developmental level of the child
Rationale: Discharge planning begins at admission, and education should be tailored to both the
child's developmental level and the parents' understanding. Written instructions are crucial for
home care, and families need to be prepared for potential behavioral changes post-discharge .
6. The nurse is assessing a child for pain. Which pain-rating scale is most appropriate for a
5-year-old child?
A) Numeric Rating Scale (0-10)
B) FLACC Scale
C) Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale
D) Visual Analog Scale
Correct Answer: Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale
Rationale: The Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale is developmentally appropriate for
children aged 3 years and older who can understand facial expressions. The Numeric Rating
Scale is suitable for older children (7+), and the FLACC scale is used for preverbal infants and
young children .
7. A hospitalized toddler is observed repeatedly holding onto a specific stuffed animal. The
nurse recognizes this object as a:
A) Safety hazard that should be removed
B) Distraction that prevents eating
C) Transitional object providing comfort and security
D) Sign of developmental delay requiring evaluation
Correct Answer: Transitional object providing comfort and security
, Rationale: A transitional object, like a beloved stuffed animal or blanket, provides comfort and a
sense of security to toddlers, especially during stressful situations like hospitalization. Ritualistic
patterns of care and consistency in caregivers are also important for this age group .
8. Which of the following is a priority nursing goal when providing care for a hospitalized
toddler?
A) Promoting complete independence in self-care
B) Encouraging prolonged separation from parents to build resilience
C) Maintaining trust through consistent caregivers and routines
D) Focusing exclusively on meeting the child's physical needs
Correct Answer: Maintaining trust through consistent caregivers and routines
Rationale: Maintaining trust established in infancy is crucial for toddlers. Consistent caregivers,
predictable routines, and liberal visiting hours help reduce anxiety and support the child's
developmental task of autonomy. Prolonged separation from parents increases distress .
9. The nurse is caring for a hospitalized adolescent. Which nursing intervention best
supports the adolescent's developmental needs?
A) Providing a private room away from other patients
B) Encouraging the adolescent to share a room with a peer of the same age
C) Limiting visitors to parents only to maintain a quiet environment
D) Making all healthcare decisions without the adolescent's input
Correct Answer: Encouraging the adolescent to share a room with a peer of the same age
Rationale: Adolescents (12-18 years) benefit from having a roommate of the same age to support
social interactions and maintain a sense of normalcy. Body image is a significant concern, and
adolescents can think abstractly. They should be involved in decisions about their care .
10. A preschool-age child is afraid of the dark while hospitalized. What is the most
appropriate nursing intervention?
A) Tell the child there is nothing to fear
B) Turn on all the lights in the room
C) Provide a nightlight and reassurance
D) Allow the child to sleep in the parent's room
Correct Answer: Provide a nightlight and reassurance
Rationale: Preschoolers are often afraid of the dark due to concrete thinking and fear of bodily
harm. Providing a nightlight offers a sense of security without disrupting sleep. Acknowledging
the child's fear and offering comfort is more effective than dismissing it .
11. What is the primary purpose of using growth charts in pediatric nursing?
A) To determine the child's exact age
B) To compare a child's growth to a standard reference population
C) To measure the child's intelligence
D) To diagnose specific diseases
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS + RATIONALES | STUDY GUIDE |
100% CORRECT
1. According to Erikson's stages of development, which psychosocial task is the primary
challenge for a toddler (1-3 years)?
A) Trust vs. Mistrust
B) Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
C) Initiative vs. Guilt
D) Industry vs. Inferiority
Correct Answer: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Rationale: Erikson's theory identifies the toddler stage as "Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt,"
where the child is striving to assert independence and self-control. Trust vs. Mistrust is the task
for infants, Initiative vs. Guilt is for preschoolers, and Industry vs. Inferiority is for school-age
children .
2. A 2-year-old child is playing alongside other children but not interacting with them.
Which type of play is this child demonstrating?
A) Solitary play
B) Parallel play
C) Associative play
D) Cooperative play
Correct Answer: Parallel play
Rationale: Parallel play, where children play beside but not with each other, is typical for
toddlers aged 1-3 years. Solitary play is more common in infants, while cooperative play is
typical of preschool and school-age children .
3. According to Piaget's theory of cognitive development, an 8-year-old child is in which
stage?
A) Sensorimotor
B) Preoperational
C) Concrete operational
D) Formal operational
Correct Answer: Concrete operational
Rationale: Piaget's concrete operational stage spans from approximately 7 to 11 years. Children
in this stage develop logical thinking about concrete events and understand concepts like
conservation. Sensorimotor is for infancy, preoperational for ages 2-7, and formal operational for
ages 11-16 .
4. The parent of a 5-year-old child hospitalized for a minor procedure reports that the child
has started wetting the bed again. What is the nurse's best response?
, A) "We should restrict fluids after dinner to prevent this."
B) "The child must have a urinary tract infection and should be tested."
C) "This is a sign of regression and is common during hospitalization."
D) "This is unacceptable behavior and needs to be addressed."
Correct Answer: "This is a sign of regression and is common during hospitalization."
Rationale: Regression is a common stress response in hospitalized children, especially
preschoolers, where they revert to earlier developmental behaviors like bedwetting. This reaction
is typically temporary and should be managed with patience, not punishment .
5. When providing discharge teaching to the parents of a school-age child, the nurse should
ensure written instructions are provided for any home treatments and that teaching is:
A) At the developmental level of the child
B) Only for the parents to ensure compliance
C) Completed just before discharge
D) General and not specific to the child's condition
Correct Answer: At the developmental level of the child
Rationale: Discharge planning begins at admission, and education should be tailored to both the
child's developmental level and the parents' understanding. Written instructions are crucial for
home care, and families need to be prepared for potential behavioral changes post-discharge .
6. The nurse is assessing a child for pain. Which pain-rating scale is most appropriate for a
5-year-old child?
A) Numeric Rating Scale (0-10)
B) FLACC Scale
C) Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale
D) Visual Analog Scale
Correct Answer: Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale
Rationale: The Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale is developmentally appropriate for
children aged 3 years and older who can understand facial expressions. The Numeric Rating
Scale is suitable for older children (7+), and the FLACC scale is used for preverbal infants and
young children .
7. A hospitalized toddler is observed repeatedly holding onto a specific stuffed animal. The
nurse recognizes this object as a:
A) Safety hazard that should be removed
B) Distraction that prevents eating
C) Transitional object providing comfort and security
D) Sign of developmental delay requiring evaluation
Correct Answer: Transitional object providing comfort and security
, Rationale: A transitional object, like a beloved stuffed animal or blanket, provides comfort and a
sense of security to toddlers, especially during stressful situations like hospitalization. Ritualistic
patterns of care and consistency in caregivers are also important for this age group .
8. Which of the following is a priority nursing goal when providing care for a hospitalized
toddler?
A) Promoting complete independence in self-care
B) Encouraging prolonged separation from parents to build resilience
C) Maintaining trust through consistent caregivers and routines
D) Focusing exclusively on meeting the child's physical needs
Correct Answer: Maintaining trust through consistent caregivers and routines
Rationale: Maintaining trust established in infancy is crucial for toddlers. Consistent caregivers,
predictable routines, and liberal visiting hours help reduce anxiety and support the child's
developmental task of autonomy. Prolonged separation from parents increases distress .
9. The nurse is caring for a hospitalized adolescent. Which nursing intervention best
supports the adolescent's developmental needs?
A) Providing a private room away from other patients
B) Encouraging the adolescent to share a room with a peer of the same age
C) Limiting visitors to parents only to maintain a quiet environment
D) Making all healthcare decisions without the adolescent's input
Correct Answer: Encouraging the adolescent to share a room with a peer of the same age
Rationale: Adolescents (12-18 years) benefit from having a roommate of the same age to support
social interactions and maintain a sense of normalcy. Body image is a significant concern, and
adolescents can think abstractly. They should be involved in decisions about their care .
10. A preschool-age child is afraid of the dark while hospitalized. What is the most
appropriate nursing intervention?
A) Tell the child there is nothing to fear
B) Turn on all the lights in the room
C) Provide a nightlight and reassurance
D) Allow the child to sleep in the parent's room
Correct Answer: Provide a nightlight and reassurance
Rationale: Preschoolers are often afraid of the dark due to concrete thinking and fear of bodily
harm. Providing a nightlight offers a sense of security without disrupting sleep. Acknowledging
the child's fear and offering comfort is more effective than dismissing it .
11. What is the primary purpose of using growth charts in pediatric nursing?
A) To determine the child's exact age
B) To compare a child's growth to a standard reference population
C) To measure the child's intelligence
D) To diagnose specific diseases
