Comprehensive Physical Assessment of
A Child| Test Questions and Answers|
Updated 2025/2026
A nurse is obtaining the blood pressure of a schoolage child. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take? That covers 40% of the upper arm
**A nurse is conducting a comprehensive physical assessment of a child. Which of the following
is the most important action before beginning the assessment?**
Ensure that the child is comfortable and has had adequate rest.
**When performing a physical exam on a child, the nurse observes that the child is fearful of the
stethoscope. What is the best approach for the nurse?**
Use a playful approach, such as demonstrating the stethoscope on a stuffed animal first, to
alleviate fear.
**While performing a physical exam on an infant, the nurse is assessing the fontanels. What is
the normal finding for an infant's anterior fontanel?**
Soft and slightly depressed, and it should close by 18 months of age.
**A nurse is assessing a toddler's height and weight. Which of the following is a normal finding
for a 3-year-old child?**
1
, Height should be approximately 95 cm (37 inches) and weight around 14 kg (31 lbs).
**The nurse is listening to the heart sounds of a 5-year-old child. Which finding would be
considered normal?**
A split S2 sound, which is common in children due to the increased heart rate and thinner
chest walls.
**When assessing a 3-year-old child's abdomen, the nurse palpates and notes mild tenderness
over the right lower quadrant. What is the next appropriate step?**
Assess for other signs of appendicitis, such as nausea, fever, or guarding, and consult a
pediatric specialist if necessary.
**During a respiratory exam of a child, the nurse notes a prolonged expiratory phase. What
might this suggest?**
An obstructive lung condition, such as asthma or bronchiolitis.
**The nurse is performing a neurological assessment on a 6-year-old child. Which action should
the nurse take to assess the child's coordination?**
Have the child perform tasks like touching their nose with one finger, then touching the
examiner’s finger, and performing finger-to-finger or heel-to-shin tests.
**A child with suspected dehydration is brought to the clinic. Which physical exam finding is
most consistent with moderate dehydration?**
2
A Child| Test Questions and Answers|
Updated 2025/2026
A nurse is obtaining the blood pressure of a schoolage child. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take? That covers 40% of the upper arm
**A nurse is conducting a comprehensive physical assessment of a child. Which of the following
is the most important action before beginning the assessment?**
Ensure that the child is comfortable and has had adequate rest.
**When performing a physical exam on a child, the nurse observes that the child is fearful of the
stethoscope. What is the best approach for the nurse?**
Use a playful approach, such as demonstrating the stethoscope on a stuffed animal first, to
alleviate fear.
**While performing a physical exam on an infant, the nurse is assessing the fontanels. What is
the normal finding for an infant's anterior fontanel?**
Soft and slightly depressed, and it should close by 18 months of age.
**A nurse is assessing a toddler's height and weight. Which of the following is a normal finding
for a 3-year-old child?**
1
, Height should be approximately 95 cm (37 inches) and weight around 14 kg (31 lbs).
**The nurse is listening to the heart sounds of a 5-year-old child. Which finding would be
considered normal?**
A split S2 sound, which is common in children due to the increased heart rate and thinner
chest walls.
**When assessing a 3-year-old child's abdomen, the nurse palpates and notes mild tenderness
over the right lower quadrant. What is the next appropriate step?**
Assess for other signs of appendicitis, such as nausea, fever, or guarding, and consult a
pediatric specialist if necessary.
**During a respiratory exam of a child, the nurse notes a prolonged expiratory phase. What
might this suggest?**
An obstructive lung condition, such as asthma or bronchiolitis.
**The nurse is performing a neurological assessment on a 6-year-old child. Which action should
the nurse take to assess the child's coordination?**
Have the child perform tasks like touching their nose with one finger, then touching the
examiner’s finger, and performing finger-to-finger or heel-to-shin tests.
**A child with suspected dehydration is brought to the clinic. Which physical exam finding is
most consistent with moderate dehydration?**
2
