PEDIATRIC NURSING TEST BANK 2026
PEDIATRIC NCLEX-STYLE PRACTICE
QUESTIONS, CHILD HEALTH NURSING
EXAM PREP & CLINICAL JUDGMENT
REVIEW
Question 1
Category: Growth and Development Across Infancy, Childhood,
and Adolescence
NCLEX Client Needs Category:
Health Promotion and Maintenance
CJMM Clinical Judgment Step:
Recognizing Cues
Clinical Scenario
A nurse in a pediatric clinic is performing a well-child
examination on a 9-month-old infant weighing 8.6 kg (19 lb).
,The infant was born full-term without complications. The
mother reports that the infant sits without support, transfers
toys between hands, babbles "mama" and "dada"
nonspecifically, and has recently begun pulling up to stand
while holding onto furniture. During the visit, the infant
becomes anxious when approached by unfamiliar staff but is
easily comforted by the mother.
Vital signs are within expected limits for age.
The mother asks whether her child's development appears
normal.
Question Prompt
Which developmental finding provides the strongest evidence
that this infant is progressing appropriately?
Options
A. Uses two-word phrases consistently
B. Pulls to stand while holding onto furniture
C. Draws a circle with a crayon
D. Rides a tricycle independently
Correct Answer
, B. Pulls to stand while holding onto furniture
Comprehensive Rationale
Why the Correct Answer Is Correct
At approximately 9 months, gross motor development includes:
• Sitting independently
• Crawling or creeping
• Pulling to stand
• Beginning to cruise along furniture
The infant described demonstrates expected gross motor, fine
motor, language, and social milestones for this developmental
stage.
Recognition of stranger anxiety is also expected between 6 and
12 months, reflecting normal social-emotional development.
Within the CJMM framework, the nurse recognizes age-
appropriate developmental cues and determines that growth
and development are progressing normally.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
A. Uses two-word phrases consistently
, This milestone typically develops around 24 months. A 9-
month-old is expected to babble repetitive syllables rather than
combine words.
C. Draws a circle with a crayon
Drawing circles generally occurs around 3 years of age. A 9-
month-old may grasp objects but lacks the fine motor
coordination for this task.
D. Rides a tricycle independently
Independent tricycle riding is expected around 3 years, not
infancy.
NCLEX Pediatric Nursing Pearl
Always compare developmental milestones with the child's
chronologic age. Stranger anxiety and pulling to stand are
classic developmental milestones for late infancy.
Question 2
Category: Growth and Development Across Infancy, Childhood,
and Adolescence
PEDIATRIC NCLEX-STYLE PRACTICE
QUESTIONS, CHILD HEALTH NURSING
EXAM PREP & CLINICAL JUDGMENT
REVIEW
Question 1
Category: Growth and Development Across Infancy, Childhood,
and Adolescence
NCLEX Client Needs Category:
Health Promotion and Maintenance
CJMM Clinical Judgment Step:
Recognizing Cues
Clinical Scenario
A nurse in a pediatric clinic is performing a well-child
examination on a 9-month-old infant weighing 8.6 kg (19 lb).
,The infant was born full-term without complications. The
mother reports that the infant sits without support, transfers
toys between hands, babbles "mama" and "dada"
nonspecifically, and has recently begun pulling up to stand
while holding onto furniture. During the visit, the infant
becomes anxious when approached by unfamiliar staff but is
easily comforted by the mother.
Vital signs are within expected limits for age.
The mother asks whether her child's development appears
normal.
Question Prompt
Which developmental finding provides the strongest evidence
that this infant is progressing appropriately?
Options
A. Uses two-word phrases consistently
B. Pulls to stand while holding onto furniture
C. Draws a circle with a crayon
D. Rides a tricycle independently
Correct Answer
, B. Pulls to stand while holding onto furniture
Comprehensive Rationale
Why the Correct Answer Is Correct
At approximately 9 months, gross motor development includes:
• Sitting independently
• Crawling or creeping
• Pulling to stand
• Beginning to cruise along furniture
The infant described demonstrates expected gross motor, fine
motor, language, and social milestones for this developmental
stage.
Recognition of stranger anxiety is also expected between 6 and
12 months, reflecting normal social-emotional development.
Within the CJMM framework, the nurse recognizes age-
appropriate developmental cues and determines that growth
and development are progressing normally.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
A. Uses two-word phrases consistently
, This milestone typically develops around 24 months. A 9-
month-old is expected to babble repetitive syllables rather than
combine words.
C. Draws a circle with a crayon
Drawing circles generally occurs around 3 years of age. A 9-
month-old may grasp objects but lacks the fine motor
coordination for this task.
D. Rides a tricycle independently
Independent tricycle riding is expected around 3 years, not
infancy.
NCLEX Pediatric Nursing Pearl
Always compare developmental milestones with the child's
chronologic age. Stranger anxiety and pulling to stand are
classic developmental milestones for late infancy.
Question 2
Category: Growth and Development Across Infancy, Childhood,
and Adolescence
