NU 170 EXAM 5: PEDIATRICS AND
DEVELOPMENTAL NURSING
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS 2026/2027
UPDATE. GALEN
1. A 10-month-old infant is being assessed for developmental milestones. The nurse notes the
infant can sit unsupported, pull to a standing position, and uses a crude pincer grasp. How
should the nurse interpret these findings?
A. The infant is showing signs of developmental delay.
B. The infant is meeting appropriate developmental milestones.
C. The infant is advanced for their age.
D. The infant requires a neurological referral.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Sitting unsupported is usually achieved by 8 months, pulling to
stand by 9 months, and a crude pincer grasp by 9 months. These are normal findings for a
10-month-old.
2. Which clinical manifestation is a hallmark sign of acute epiglottitis in a child?
A. Barking, brassy cough
,B. Drooling, dysphonia, and distress
C. Low-grade fever and runny nose
D. Wheezing and prolonged expiration
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The ‘4 Ds’ of epiglottitis are Drooling, Dysphonia (muffled voice),
Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), and Distressed respiratory effort. A barking cough is
characteristic of Laryngotracheobronchitis (Croup).
3. A nurse is caring for a 4-year-old child hospitalized for surgery. According to Erikson, which
developmental task is this child attempting to master?
A. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
B. Initiative vs. Guilt
C. Industry vs. Inferiority
D. Trust vs. Mistrust
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Preschoolers (ages 3 to 6) are in the stage of Initiative vs. Guilt.
Toddlers (1-3) are Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt, and school-age children (6-12) are
Industry vs. Inferiority.
, 4. When administering ear drops to a 2-year-old child, how should the nurse position the
pinna?
A. Up and back
B. Down and back
C. Straight back
D. Down and forward
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: For children under 3 years old, the pinna is pulled down and
back to straighten the ear canal. For children older than 3, it is pulled up and back.
5. A 5-year-old child with Tetralogy of Fallot becomes cyanotic and dyspneic while playing.
Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer 100% oxygen by mask
B. Prepare to administer morphine sulfate
C. Place the child in a knee-chest position
D. Call for a STAT chest X-ray
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The knee-chest position increases systemic vascular resistance,
which helps reduce the right-to-left shunt and improves oxygenation during a
hypercyanotic (‘Tet’) spell.
DEVELOPMENTAL NURSING
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS 2026/2027
UPDATE. GALEN
1. A 10-month-old infant is being assessed for developmental milestones. The nurse notes the
infant can sit unsupported, pull to a standing position, and uses a crude pincer grasp. How
should the nurse interpret these findings?
A. The infant is showing signs of developmental delay.
B. The infant is meeting appropriate developmental milestones.
C. The infant is advanced for their age.
D. The infant requires a neurological referral.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Sitting unsupported is usually achieved by 8 months, pulling to
stand by 9 months, and a crude pincer grasp by 9 months. These are normal findings for a
10-month-old.
2. Which clinical manifestation is a hallmark sign of acute epiglottitis in a child?
A. Barking, brassy cough
,B. Drooling, dysphonia, and distress
C. Low-grade fever and runny nose
D. Wheezing and prolonged expiration
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The ‘4 Ds’ of epiglottitis are Drooling, Dysphonia (muffled voice),
Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), and Distressed respiratory effort. A barking cough is
characteristic of Laryngotracheobronchitis (Croup).
3. A nurse is caring for a 4-year-old child hospitalized for surgery. According to Erikson, which
developmental task is this child attempting to master?
A. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
B. Initiative vs. Guilt
C. Industry vs. Inferiority
D. Trust vs. Mistrust
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Preschoolers (ages 3 to 6) are in the stage of Initiative vs. Guilt.
Toddlers (1-3) are Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt, and school-age children (6-12) are
Industry vs. Inferiority.
, 4. When administering ear drops to a 2-year-old child, how should the nurse position the
pinna?
A. Up and back
B. Down and back
C. Straight back
D. Down and forward
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: For children under 3 years old, the pinna is pulled down and
back to straighten the ear canal. For children older than 3, it is pulled up and back.
5. A 5-year-old child with Tetralogy of Fallot becomes cyanotic and dyspneic while playing.
Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer 100% oxygen by mask
B. Prepare to administer morphine sulfate
C. Place the child in a knee-chest position
D. Call for a STAT chest X-ray
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The knee-chest position increases systemic vascular resistance,
which helps reduce the right-to-left shunt and improves oxygenation during a
hypercyanotic (‘Tet’) spell.
