NACE Care of the Child Exam Questions and Correct Answers
with Rationales 2026/2027
Table of Contents
1. Growth, Development & Pediatric Assessment
2. Infants & Toddlers
3. Preschool & School-Age Children
4. Adolescents & Health Promotion
5. Respiratory & Cardiovascular Disorders
6. Gastrointestinal, Renal & Fluid/Electrolyte Disorders
7. Neurologic, Infectious, Hematologic & Endocrine Disorders
8. Pediatric Medications, Safety, Psychosocial Care & Comprehensive Review
SECTION 1 — GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT & PEDIATRIC ASSESSMENT
1. Which assessment finding is most appropriate for a healthy newborn?
A. Respiratory rate of 20/min
B. Heart rate of 80/min
C. Respiratory rate of 40/min
D. Blood pressure of 150/90 mm Hg
Answer: C
,Rationale: A newborn normally has a respiratory rate of approximately 30–
60/min. The other findings are outside expected newborn ranges.
2. Which developmental principle should the nurse remember when assessing
children?
A. All children develop at exactly the same rate.
B. Development proceeds in predictable general patterns.
C. Physical development always occurs before cognitive development.
D. Environmental factors have little effect on development.
Answer: B
Rationale: Children generally follow predictable developmental sequences,
although the timing varies among individuals.
3. Which behavior is most characteristic of a 2-year-old child?
A. Parallel play
B. Abstract reasoning
C. Cooperative group play
D. Formal operational thinking
Answer: A
Rationale: Toddlers commonly engage in parallel play, playing beside rather than
cooperatively with other children.
4. Which behavior is expected in a preschool child?
A. Completely egocentric behavior with no imaginative play
B. Increasing ability to participate in cooperative play
C. Dependence on parallel play only
D. Ability to understand complex abstract concepts
Answer: B
,Rationale: Preschoolers increasingly engage in associative and cooperative play
and develop expanding social skills.
5. Which developmental task is particularly important during adolescence?
A. Developing object permanence
B. Developing a sense of identity
C. Learning parallel play
D. Developing stranger anxiety
Answer: B
Rationale: Identity formation is a major psychosocial task during adolescence.
6. A nurse wants to obtain the most accurate weight for a hospitalized infant.
Which action is appropriate?
A. Weigh the infant with heavy clothing.
B. Weigh the infant at the same time each day.
C. Estimate the infant's weight from the parent's report.
D. Weigh the infant only when symptoms occur.
Answer: B
Rationale: Consistent timing and equipment improve the reliability of pediatric
weight measurements.
7. Which approach is most appropriate when assessing a frightened toddler?
A. Perform the examination immediately without explanation.
B. Separate the toddler from the parent.
C. Allow the parent to remain nearby.
D. Use complex medical terminology.
Answer: C
, Rationale: Toddlers often experience separation anxiety. Parental presence can
provide security and facilitate assessment.
8. Which measurement is especially important for monitoring growth during
infancy?
A. Head circumference
B. Chest circumference only
C. Blood pressure every hour
D. Visual acuity
Answer: A
Rationale: Head circumference is routinely monitored during infancy because it
reflects brain and skull growth.
9. Which behavior demonstrates object permanence?
A. The infant understands that an object continues to exist when hidden.
B. The infant understands algebra.
C. The child understands sarcasm.
D. The adolescent develops abstract reasoning.
Answer: A
Rationale: Object permanence develops during infancy and represents
understanding that hidden objects continue to exist.
10. Which intervention can reduce anxiety during a pediatric physical
examination?
A. Allowing the child to handle safe equipment
B. Using force immediately
C. Removing the parent
D. Avoiding explanations
Answer: A
with Rationales 2026/2027
Table of Contents
1. Growth, Development & Pediatric Assessment
2. Infants & Toddlers
3. Preschool & School-Age Children
4. Adolescents & Health Promotion
5. Respiratory & Cardiovascular Disorders
6. Gastrointestinal, Renal & Fluid/Electrolyte Disorders
7. Neurologic, Infectious, Hematologic & Endocrine Disorders
8. Pediatric Medications, Safety, Psychosocial Care & Comprehensive Review
SECTION 1 — GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT & PEDIATRIC ASSESSMENT
1. Which assessment finding is most appropriate for a healthy newborn?
A. Respiratory rate of 20/min
B. Heart rate of 80/min
C. Respiratory rate of 40/min
D. Blood pressure of 150/90 mm Hg
Answer: C
,Rationale: A newborn normally has a respiratory rate of approximately 30–
60/min. The other findings are outside expected newborn ranges.
2. Which developmental principle should the nurse remember when assessing
children?
A. All children develop at exactly the same rate.
B. Development proceeds in predictable general patterns.
C. Physical development always occurs before cognitive development.
D. Environmental factors have little effect on development.
Answer: B
Rationale: Children generally follow predictable developmental sequences,
although the timing varies among individuals.
3. Which behavior is most characteristic of a 2-year-old child?
A. Parallel play
B. Abstract reasoning
C. Cooperative group play
D. Formal operational thinking
Answer: A
Rationale: Toddlers commonly engage in parallel play, playing beside rather than
cooperatively with other children.
4. Which behavior is expected in a preschool child?
A. Completely egocentric behavior with no imaginative play
B. Increasing ability to participate in cooperative play
C. Dependence on parallel play only
D. Ability to understand complex abstract concepts
Answer: B
,Rationale: Preschoolers increasingly engage in associative and cooperative play
and develop expanding social skills.
5. Which developmental task is particularly important during adolescence?
A. Developing object permanence
B. Developing a sense of identity
C. Learning parallel play
D. Developing stranger anxiety
Answer: B
Rationale: Identity formation is a major psychosocial task during adolescence.
6. A nurse wants to obtain the most accurate weight for a hospitalized infant.
Which action is appropriate?
A. Weigh the infant with heavy clothing.
B. Weigh the infant at the same time each day.
C. Estimate the infant's weight from the parent's report.
D. Weigh the infant only when symptoms occur.
Answer: B
Rationale: Consistent timing and equipment improve the reliability of pediatric
weight measurements.
7. Which approach is most appropriate when assessing a frightened toddler?
A. Perform the examination immediately without explanation.
B. Separate the toddler from the parent.
C. Allow the parent to remain nearby.
D. Use complex medical terminology.
Answer: C
, Rationale: Toddlers often experience separation anxiety. Parental presence can
provide security and facilitate assessment.
8. Which measurement is especially important for monitoring growth during
infancy?
A. Head circumference
B. Chest circumference only
C. Blood pressure every hour
D. Visual acuity
Answer: A
Rationale: Head circumference is routinely monitored during infancy because it
reflects brain and skull growth.
9. Which behavior demonstrates object permanence?
A. The infant understands that an object continues to exist when hidden.
B. The infant understands algebra.
C. The child understands sarcasm.
D. The adolescent develops abstract reasoning.
Answer: A
Rationale: Object permanence develops during infancy and represents
understanding that hidden objects continue to exist.
10. Which intervention can reduce anxiety during a pediatric physical
examination?
A. Allowing the child to handle safe equipment
B. Using force immediately
C. Removing the parent
D. Avoiding explanations
Answer: A
