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GCU NSG 434 2026 EXAM 3: NURSING CARE
OF CHILDREN COMPLETE (160) CURRENT
TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES|GRADED A+.
NSG
Below are 160- practice questions for GCU NSG 434 Exam 3 – Nursing Care
of Children (multiple-choice A-D, correct answer with letter and text, and
explanation). The exam covers growth and development, pediatric
assessment, common acute and chronic conditions, immunizations,
family-centered care, and pediatric nursing interventions.
Multiple choice.
Section 1: Growth and Development (Questions 1–25)
1. According to Erikson, the primary psychosocial task of the
preschooler (ages 3–6) is:
A) Trust vs. mistrust
B) Autonomy vs. shame and doubt
C) Initiative vs. guilt
D) Industry vs. inferiority
Answer: C. Initiative vs. guilt
Explanation: Preschoolers develop a sense of purpose and
ability to initiate activities. If criticized, they may develop guilt.
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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?
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
D) Pincer grasp present
Answer: B. Moro reflex present
Explanation: The Moro (startle) reflex disappears by 4-6 months.
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 permanence is:
A) Sensorimotor
B) Preoperational
C) Concrete operational
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.
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
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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
D) 30 months
Answer: C. 24 months
Explanation: Two-word phrases typically appear around 2 years
(e.g., “more milk”). Single words appear around 12 months.
9. A 7-year-old child is hospitalized. The nurse expects the child
to be most concerned about:
A) Loss of independence
B) Being separated from peers
C) Pain from procedures
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
GCU NSG 434 2026 EXAM 3: NURSING CARE
OF CHILDREN COMPLETE (160) CURRENT
TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES|GRADED A+.
NSG
Below are 160- practice questions for GCU NSG 434 Exam 3 – Nursing Care
of Children (multiple-choice A-D, correct answer with letter and text, and
explanation). The exam covers growth and development, pediatric
assessment, common acute and chronic conditions, immunizations,
family-centered care, and pediatric nursing interventions.
Multiple choice.
Section 1: Growth and Development (Questions 1–25)
1. According to Erikson, the primary psychosocial task of the
preschooler (ages 3–6) is:
A) Trust vs. mistrust
B) Autonomy vs. shame and doubt
C) Initiative vs. guilt
D) Industry vs. inferiority
Answer: C. Initiative vs. guilt
Explanation: Preschoolers develop a sense of purpose and
ability to initiate activities. If criticized, they may develop guilt.
, Page 2 of 62
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?
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
D) Pincer grasp present
Answer: B. Moro reflex present
Explanation: The Moro (startle) reflex disappears by 4-6 months.
Persistence beyond 6 months may indicate neurologic delay.
, Page 3 of 62
5. According to Piaget, the stage of cognitive development in
which a child develops object permanence is:
A) Sensorimotor
B) Preoperational
C) Concrete operational
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.
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
, Page 4 of 62
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
D) 30 months
Answer: C. 24 months
Explanation: Two-word phrases typically appear around 2 years
(e.g., “more milk”). Single words appear around 12 months.
9. A 7-year-old child is hospitalized. The nurse expects the child
to be most concerned about:
A) Loss of independence
B) Being separated from peers
C) Pain from procedures
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
