INDEPENDENT STUDY RESOURCE • NUR231 • 2026–2027
NUR231 — Pediatric Nursing Exam 3 2026–2027
NUR 231 | Concepts of Nursing: The Childbearing/Child Caring Family
Institution / scope: Galen College of Nursing
Contents: 100 independently authored educational practice questions with one keyed answer and a rationale per question;
quick answer key at the end.
Original practice questions
Family
1. How should a nurse approach caregivers who have different beliefs about childhood treatment?
A. Assume one caregiver's views represent the family
B. Dismiss beliefs without discussion
C. Assess values respectfully and use shared decision-making with clear safety information
D. Provide identical teaching regardless of literacy and language needs
Correct Answer: C — Assess values respectfully and use shared decision-making with clear safety information
Rationale: Family-centred care uses respectful inquiry, culturally responsive communication, and shared planning.
2. What is the most useful way to evaluate caregiver understanding of discharge instructions?
A. Provide a large packet with no discussion
B. Assume understanding if the caregiver nods
C. Ask only whether the caregiver understands
D. Ask the caregiver to explain or demonstrate instructions in their own words
Correct Answer: D — Ask the caregiver to explain or demonstrate instructions in their own words
Rationale: Teach-back and demonstration reveal misunderstandings and permit clarification.
3. When caring for a child with a chronic condition, which nursing goal is most family-centred?
A. Withhold school and community resource information
B. Prioritize the care team schedule above family routines
C. Set goals without consulting caregivers
D. Coordinate an achievable home-care plan based on caregiver capacity and the child's needs
Correct Answer: D — Coordinate an achievable home-care plan based on caregiver capacity and the child's needs
Rationale: Collaborative realistic plans promote sustained care and family functioning.
4. A caregiver reports difficulty attending appointments because of transportation. What is the most appropriate
next step?
A. Assess the barrier collaboratively and connect the family with available supports
B. Tell the caregiver attendance is solely their responsibility
C. Record the caregiver as noncompliant without discussion
D. Cancel follow-up without an alternative plan
Correct Answer: A — Assess the barrier collaboratively and connect the family with available supports
Rationale: Family-centred care assesses social circumstances without blame and collaborates on an achievable
plan.
NUR231 | Original educational practice • 1
, INDEPENDENT STUDY RESOURCE • NUR231 • 2026–2027
5. A client has mild ankle swelling at the end of a long day but no other symptoms. What assessment is most
appropriate?
A. Assess blood pressure, onset, and associated warning signs before giving tailored advice
B. Recommend a diuretic without an order
C. Ignore all swelling in pregnancy
D. Label the client with preeclampsia immediately
Correct Answer: A — Assess blood pressure, onset, and associated warning signs before giving tailored advice
Rationale: Mild dependent swelling can occur in pregnancy, but sudden swelling or hypertension-related symptoms
require further assessment.
6. A client in active labour requests information about pain-relief options. What is the best nursing response?
A. Promise a chosen method has no risks
B. Withhold information until after delivery
C. Tell the client one method is mandatory
D. Explain available pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic choices within the care setting and support informed
preference
Correct Answer: D — Explain available pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic choices within the care setting and
support informed preference
Rationale: Shared decision-making requires clear, balanced information about options and their limitations.
7. A client receiving an epidural suddenly reports dizziness. Blood pressure is lower than baseline. What should the
nurse prioritize?
A. Stop monitoring because pain has improved
B. Assess maternal and fetal status promptly and alert the responsible clinician
C. Assume hypotension is always harmless
D. Encourage immediate unassisted standing
Correct Answer: B — Assess maternal and fetal status promptly and alert the responsible clinician
Rationale: Neuraxial analgesia can be associated with hypotension; maternal-fetal assessment and timely team
action are important.
8. A labouring client is frightened by unfamiliar equipment. What is a family-centred nursing approach?
A. Remove all support people without assessing preferences
B. Provide reassurance without explanation
C. Describe the equipment simply, invite questions, and clarify what support people can do
D. Tell the client questions interfere with care
Correct Answer: C — Describe the equipment simply, invite questions, and clarify what support people can do
Rationale: Clear information and participation support coping without compromising clinical priorities.
9. A parent asks how to describe pain in a four-year-old. Which assessment approach is most appropriate?
A. Use a validated developmentally appropriate pain scale along with observation
B. Assume smiling always rules out pain
C. Use an adult numeric scale regardless of comprehension
D. Ask only an adult sibling for a pain score
Correct Answer: A — Use a validated developmentally appropriate pain scale along with observation
NUR231 | Original educational practice • 2
, INDEPENDENT STUDY RESOURCE • NUR231 • 2026–2027
Rationale: Pain assessment should fit the child's developmental and communication ability.
10. A person planning pregnancy asks how much folic acid is routinely recommended in Canada. Which advice is
most appropriate for someone without identified high-risk factors?
A. Avoid folic acid unless anemia develops
B. Begin 4 milligrams daily without consulting a clinician
C. Take folic acid only after the first trimester
D. Take a daily multivitamin containing 400 micrograms of folic acid
Correct Answer: D — Take a daily multivitamin containing 400 micrograms of folic acid
Rationale: Public Health Agency of Canada recommends a multivitamin with 400 mcg of folic acid for people who
could become pregnant; higher doses require individualized professional advice.
11. A pregnant client has fever, flank pain, and dysuria. What is the nursing priority?
A. Encourage taking someone else's antibiotics
B. Recommend postponing evaluation until postpartum
C. Assure the client this is normal physiological urgency
D. Arrange prompt assessment for possible upper urinary tract infection
Correct Answer: D — Arrange prompt assessment for possible upper urinary tract infection
Rationale: Febrile urinary symptoms and flank pain may indicate pyelonephritis and warrant urgent care in
pregnancy.
12. A pregnant patient describes a sudden gush of clear fluid before labour. What is the appropriate nursing action?
A. Recommend a vaginal douche
B. Tell the patient to ignore it unless painful
C. Promptly notify the maternity team and assess for possible membrane rupture
D. Assume it is urinary leakage without assessment
Correct Answer: C — Promptly notify the maternity team and assess for possible membrane rupture
Rationale: Fluid leakage before labour may indicate ruptured membranes and increases concerns about infection
and obstetric complications.
13. A pregnant patient reports severe constant abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, and a tender hypertonic uterus.
What is most concerning?
A. Placental abruption
B. Routine round ligament pain
C. Physiologic leukorrhea
D. Uncomplicated Braxton Hicks contractions
Correct Answer: A — Placental abruption
Rationale: Abruption separates the placenta prematurely and may compromise maternal blood volume and fetal
oxygenation.
14. A previously healthy eight-month-old has typical bronchiolitis. Which care approach is most consistent with
Canadian Paediatric Society guidance?
A. Administer corticosteroids routinely
B. Give salbutamol routinely to every infant
C. Order chest radiographs for every uncomplicated case
NUR231 | Original educational practice • 3
NUR231 — Pediatric Nursing Exam 3 2026–2027
NUR 231 | Concepts of Nursing: The Childbearing/Child Caring Family
Institution / scope: Galen College of Nursing
Contents: 100 independently authored educational practice questions with one keyed answer and a rationale per question;
quick answer key at the end.
Original practice questions
Family
1. How should a nurse approach caregivers who have different beliefs about childhood treatment?
A. Assume one caregiver's views represent the family
B. Dismiss beliefs without discussion
C. Assess values respectfully and use shared decision-making with clear safety information
D. Provide identical teaching regardless of literacy and language needs
Correct Answer: C — Assess values respectfully and use shared decision-making with clear safety information
Rationale: Family-centred care uses respectful inquiry, culturally responsive communication, and shared planning.
2. What is the most useful way to evaluate caregiver understanding of discharge instructions?
A. Provide a large packet with no discussion
B. Assume understanding if the caregiver nods
C. Ask only whether the caregiver understands
D. Ask the caregiver to explain or demonstrate instructions in their own words
Correct Answer: D — Ask the caregiver to explain or demonstrate instructions in their own words
Rationale: Teach-back and demonstration reveal misunderstandings and permit clarification.
3. When caring for a child with a chronic condition, which nursing goal is most family-centred?
A. Withhold school and community resource information
B. Prioritize the care team schedule above family routines
C. Set goals without consulting caregivers
D. Coordinate an achievable home-care plan based on caregiver capacity and the child's needs
Correct Answer: D — Coordinate an achievable home-care plan based on caregiver capacity and the child's needs
Rationale: Collaborative realistic plans promote sustained care and family functioning.
4. A caregiver reports difficulty attending appointments because of transportation. What is the most appropriate
next step?
A. Assess the barrier collaboratively and connect the family with available supports
B. Tell the caregiver attendance is solely their responsibility
C. Record the caregiver as noncompliant without discussion
D. Cancel follow-up without an alternative plan
Correct Answer: A — Assess the barrier collaboratively and connect the family with available supports
Rationale: Family-centred care assesses social circumstances without blame and collaborates on an achievable
plan.
NUR231 | Original educational practice • 1
, INDEPENDENT STUDY RESOURCE • NUR231 • 2026–2027
5. A client has mild ankle swelling at the end of a long day but no other symptoms. What assessment is most
appropriate?
A. Assess blood pressure, onset, and associated warning signs before giving tailored advice
B. Recommend a diuretic without an order
C. Ignore all swelling in pregnancy
D. Label the client with preeclampsia immediately
Correct Answer: A — Assess blood pressure, onset, and associated warning signs before giving tailored advice
Rationale: Mild dependent swelling can occur in pregnancy, but sudden swelling or hypertension-related symptoms
require further assessment.
6. A client in active labour requests information about pain-relief options. What is the best nursing response?
A. Promise a chosen method has no risks
B. Withhold information until after delivery
C. Tell the client one method is mandatory
D. Explain available pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic choices within the care setting and support informed
preference
Correct Answer: D — Explain available pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic choices within the care setting and
support informed preference
Rationale: Shared decision-making requires clear, balanced information about options and their limitations.
7. A client receiving an epidural suddenly reports dizziness. Blood pressure is lower than baseline. What should the
nurse prioritize?
A. Stop monitoring because pain has improved
B. Assess maternal and fetal status promptly and alert the responsible clinician
C. Assume hypotension is always harmless
D. Encourage immediate unassisted standing
Correct Answer: B — Assess maternal and fetal status promptly and alert the responsible clinician
Rationale: Neuraxial analgesia can be associated with hypotension; maternal-fetal assessment and timely team
action are important.
8. A labouring client is frightened by unfamiliar equipment. What is a family-centred nursing approach?
A. Remove all support people without assessing preferences
B. Provide reassurance without explanation
C. Describe the equipment simply, invite questions, and clarify what support people can do
D. Tell the client questions interfere with care
Correct Answer: C — Describe the equipment simply, invite questions, and clarify what support people can do
Rationale: Clear information and participation support coping without compromising clinical priorities.
9. A parent asks how to describe pain in a four-year-old. Which assessment approach is most appropriate?
A. Use a validated developmentally appropriate pain scale along with observation
B. Assume smiling always rules out pain
C. Use an adult numeric scale regardless of comprehension
D. Ask only an adult sibling for a pain score
Correct Answer: A — Use a validated developmentally appropriate pain scale along with observation
NUR231 | Original educational practice • 2
, INDEPENDENT STUDY RESOURCE • NUR231 • 2026–2027
Rationale: Pain assessment should fit the child's developmental and communication ability.
10. A person planning pregnancy asks how much folic acid is routinely recommended in Canada. Which advice is
most appropriate for someone without identified high-risk factors?
A. Avoid folic acid unless anemia develops
B. Begin 4 milligrams daily without consulting a clinician
C. Take folic acid only after the first trimester
D. Take a daily multivitamin containing 400 micrograms of folic acid
Correct Answer: D — Take a daily multivitamin containing 400 micrograms of folic acid
Rationale: Public Health Agency of Canada recommends a multivitamin with 400 mcg of folic acid for people who
could become pregnant; higher doses require individualized professional advice.
11. A pregnant client has fever, flank pain, and dysuria. What is the nursing priority?
A. Encourage taking someone else's antibiotics
B. Recommend postponing evaluation until postpartum
C. Assure the client this is normal physiological urgency
D. Arrange prompt assessment for possible upper urinary tract infection
Correct Answer: D — Arrange prompt assessment for possible upper urinary tract infection
Rationale: Febrile urinary symptoms and flank pain may indicate pyelonephritis and warrant urgent care in
pregnancy.
12. A pregnant patient describes a sudden gush of clear fluid before labour. What is the appropriate nursing action?
A. Recommend a vaginal douche
B. Tell the patient to ignore it unless painful
C. Promptly notify the maternity team and assess for possible membrane rupture
D. Assume it is urinary leakage without assessment
Correct Answer: C — Promptly notify the maternity team and assess for possible membrane rupture
Rationale: Fluid leakage before labour may indicate ruptured membranes and increases concerns about infection
and obstetric complications.
13. A pregnant patient reports severe constant abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, and a tender hypertonic uterus.
What is most concerning?
A. Placental abruption
B. Routine round ligament pain
C. Physiologic leukorrhea
D. Uncomplicated Braxton Hicks contractions
Correct Answer: A — Placental abruption
Rationale: Abruption separates the placenta prematurely and may compromise maternal blood volume and fetal
oxygenation.
14. A previously healthy eight-month-old has typical bronchiolitis. Which care approach is most consistent with
Canadian Paediatric Society guidance?
A. Administer corticosteroids routinely
B. Give salbutamol routinely to every infant
C. Order chest radiographs for every uncomplicated case
NUR231 | Original educational practice • 3
