GCU NSG 434 EXAM 3: NURSING CARE
OF CHILDREN COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES CURRENT
TESTING
D
O
Section 1: Growth and Development (Questions 1–25)
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1. According to Erikson, the primary psychosocial task of the preschooler (ages 3–6) is:
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A) Trust vs. mistrust
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B) Autonomy vs. shame and doubt
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C) Initiative vs. guilt
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D) Industry vs. inferiority
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Answer: C. Initiative vs. guilt
Explanation: Preschoolers develop a sense of purpose and ability to initiate activities. If
criticized, they may develop guilt.
2. A 2-year-old child is observed playing alongside another child but not interacting. This
type of play is called:
A) Solitary play
B) Parallel play
C) Associative play
D) Cooperative play
Answer: B. Parallel play
Explanation: Toddlers engage in parallel play (playing next to but not with others).
Cooperative play develops later.
3. A 4-month-old infant should be able to perform which gross motor skill?
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A) Sit without support
B) Roll from back to side
C) Walk with assistance
D) Creep on hands and knees
Answer: B. Roll from back to side
Explanation: Rolling over typically begins around 4-5 months. Sitting without support
occurs around 6-8 months.
4. The nurse is assessing a 12-month-old. Which finding would require further evaluation?
A) Birth weight tripled
B) Moro reflex present
C) Says “mama” and “dada” specifically
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D) Pincer grasp present
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Answer: B. Moro reflex present
Explanation: The Moro (startle) reflex disappears by 4-6 months.
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Persistence beyond 6 months may indicate neurologic delay.
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5. According to Piaget, the stage of cognitive development in which a child develops object
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permanence is:
A) Sensorimotor
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B) Preoperational
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C) Concrete operational
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D) Formal operational
Answer: A. Sensorimotor
Explanation: Object permanence (knowing an object exists even when out of sight)
develops during the sensorimotor stage (birth to 2 years).
6. The nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to parents of a 10-month-old. Which
statement indicates a need for further teaching?
A) “We will put the crib mattress at the lowest level.”
B) “We will use a rear-facing car seat until age 2.”
C) “We will give our baby whole milk now.”
D) “We will childproof the electrical outlets.”
Answer: C. “We will give our baby whole milk now.” Explanation: Whole milk should not
be introduced until 12 months. Before that, formula or breast milk is recommended.
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7. A 15-year-old is most likely to be in which of Erikson’s stages?
A) Industry vs. inferiority
B) Identity vs. role confusion
C) Intimacy vs. isolation
D) Autonomy vs. shame and doubt
Answer: B. Identity vs. role confusion
Explanation: Adolescence (12–18 years) focuses on forming a sense of identity. Peer groups
become important.
8. The nurse is teaching a parent about normal language development. At what age
should a child first use two-word phrases? A) 12 months
B) 18 months
C) 24 months
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D) 30 months
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Answer: C. 24 months
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Explanation: Two-word phrases typically appear around 2 years (e.g., “more milk”). Single
words appear around 12 months.
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9. A 7-year-old child is hospitalized. The nurse expects the child to be most concerned
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about: A) Loss of independence
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B) Being separated from peers
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C) Pain from procedures
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D) Fear of the dark
Answer: B. Being separated from peers
Explanation: School-age children (6–12 years) value peer relationships. Separation from
friends can be more distressing than the illness itself.
10. The nurse is assessing a 3-year-old. Which fine motor skill is expected? A) Ties
shoelaces
B) Uses scissors to cut a straight line
C) Draws a circle
D) Writes first name
Answer: C. Draws a circle
Explanation: By age 3, a child can draw a circle. Tying shoelaces and writing name occur
later (5-6 years).
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11. A 6-month-old infant should have received which immunizations by this age?
A) Hep B, DTaP, IPV, Hib, PCV, RV (at least first doses)
B) MMR, Varicella, Hep A
C) HPV, Tdap, MenACWY
D) Only Hep B
Answer: A. Hep B, DTaP, IPV, Hib, PCV, RV (at least first doses) Explanation: By 6
months, infants should have received at least the first doses of these vaccines. MMR and
varicella are given at 12 months.
12. A toddler is having a temper tantrum. The nurse advises the parent to:
A) Spank the child firmly
B) Ignore the behavior if safe
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C) Give in to the child’s demands
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D) Place the child in time-out for 30 minutes
Answer: B. Ignore the behavior if safe
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Explanation: Tantrums are normal for toddlers. Ignoring (with safety) reduces
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reinforcement. Time-out should be brief (1 minute per year of age).
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13. The nurse is assessing a 5-year-old’s vision. Which visual acuity is considered normal
for this age?
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A) 20/20
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B) 20/30
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C) 20/40
D) 20/60
Answer: C. 20/40
Explanation: Visual acuity of 20/40 is acceptable for a 5-year-old; 20/20 may not yet be
achieved. Refer if worse than 20/40.
14. A 9-year-old child is in the hospital. To best promote a sense of mastery and
accomplishment, the nurse should: A) Allow the child to choose their own daily schedule
B) Encourage the child to complete schoolwork assignments
C) Provide a video game system
D) Allow unlimited screen time
Answer: B. Encourage the child to complete schoolwork assignments
Explanation: School-age children need to feel productive.