NURS 420 EXAM 1 QUESTIONS AND
DETAILED ANSWERS. EXPERT
VERIFIED FOR GUARANTEED PASS.
The nurse is assessing the respiratory system of a newborn. Which anatomic differences place
the infant at risk for respiratory compromise? Select all that apply.
a. The nasal passages are narrower.
b. The trachea and chest wall are less compliant.
c. The bronchi and bronchioles are shorter and wider.
d. The larynx is more funnel-shaped.
e. The tongue is smaller.
f. There are significantly fewer alveoli. - ANS Answers:
-The nasal passages are narrower
-The larynx is more funnel-shaped
-There are significantly fewer alveoli
Rationale: In comparison with the adult, in the infant, the nasal passages are narrower, the
trachea and chest wall are more compliant, the bronchi and bronchioles are shorter and
narrower, the larynx is more funnel-shaped, the tongue is larger, and there are significantly
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
,fewer alveoli. These anatomic differences place the infant at higher risk for respiratory
compromise. The respiratory system does not reach adult levels of maturity until about 7 years
of age.
At which age would the nurse expect to find the beginning of object permanence?
a. 1 month
b. 6 months
c. 9 months
d. 12 months - ANS Answer: 6 months
Rationale:
Object permanence begins to develop between 4 and 7 months of age and is solidified by
approximately age 8 months. By age 12 months, the infant knows he or she is separate from
the parent or caregiver.
The nurse caring for newborns knows that infants exhibit phenomenal increases in their gross
motor skills over the first 12 months of life. Which statements accurately describe the typical
infant's achievement of these milestones? Select all that apply.
a. At 1 month, the infant lifts and turns the head to the side in the prone position.
b. At 2 months, the infant rolls from supine to prone to back again.
c. At 6 months, the infant pulls to stand up.
d. At 7 months, the infant sits alone with some use of hands for support.
e. At 9 months, the infant crawls with the abdomen off the floor.
f. At 12 months, the infant walks independently. - ANS Answers:
a. At 1 month, the infant lifts and turns the head to the side in the prone position.
d. At 7 months, the infant sits alone with some use of hands for support.
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
,e. At 9 months, the infant crawls with the abdomen off the floor.
f. At 12 months, the infant walks independently.
Rationale: At 1 month, the infant lifts and turns the head to the side in the prone position. At 7
months, the infant sits alone with some use of hands for support. At 9 months, the infant crawls
with the abdomen off the floor. At 12 months, the infant walks independently. At 4 months, the
infant lifts the head and looks around. At 10 months, the infant pulls to stand up.
The nurse observes an infant interacting with his parents. What are normal social behavioral
developments for this age group? Select all that apply.
a. Around 5 months, the infant may develop stranger anxiety.
b. Around 2 months, the infant exhibits a first real smile.
c. Around 3 months, the infant smiles widely and gurgles when interacting with the caregiver.
d. Around 3 months, the infant will mimic the parent's facial movements, such as sticking out
the tongue.
e. Around 3 to 6 months of age, the infant may enjoy socially interactive games such as patty-
cake and peek-a-boo.
f. Separation anxiety may also start in the last few months of infancy. - ANS Answers:
b. Around 2 months, the infant exhibits a first real smile.
c. Around 3 months, the infant smiles widely and gurgles when interacting with the caregiver.
d. Around 3 months, the infant will mimic the parent's facial movements, such as sticking out
the tongue.
f. Separation anxiety may also start in the last few months of infancy.
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
, Rationale: The infant exhibits a first real smile at age 2 months. By about 3 months of age, the
infant will start an interaction with a caregiver by smiling widely and possibly gurgling. The 3- to
4-month-old will also mimic the parent's facial movements, such as widening the eyes and
sticking out the tongue. Separation anxiety may also start in the last few months of infancy.
Around the age of 8 months, the infant may develop stranger anxiety. At 6 to 8 months of age,
the infant may enjoy socially interactive games such as patty-cake and peek-a-boo.
A new mother shows the nurse that her baby grasps her finger when she touches the baby's
palm. How might the nurse respond to this information?
a. "This is a primitive reflex known as the plantar grasp."
b. "This is a primitive reflex known as the palmar grasp."
c. "This is a protective reflex known as rooting."
d. "This is a protective reflex known as the Moro reflex." - ANS Answer: "This is a primitive
reflex known as the palmar grasp."
Primitive reflexes are subcortical and involve a whole-body response. Selected primitive
reflexes present at birth include Moro, root, suck, asymmetric tonic neck, plantar and palmar
grasp, step, and Babinski. During the palmar grasp, the infant reflexively grasps when the palm
is touched. The plantar grasp occurs when the infant reflexively grasps with the bottom of the
foot when pressure is applied to the plantar surface. The root reflex occurs when the infant's
cheek is stroked and the infant turns to that side, searching with mouth. The Moro reflex is
displayed when with sudden extension of the head, the arms abduct and move upward and the
hands form a "C."
Which reflex, if found in a 4-month-old infant, would cause the nurse to be concerned?
a. Plantar grasp
b. Step
4 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
DETAILED ANSWERS. EXPERT
VERIFIED FOR GUARANTEED PASS.
The nurse is assessing the respiratory system of a newborn. Which anatomic differences place
the infant at risk for respiratory compromise? Select all that apply.
a. The nasal passages are narrower.
b. The trachea and chest wall are less compliant.
c. The bronchi and bronchioles are shorter and wider.
d. The larynx is more funnel-shaped.
e. The tongue is smaller.
f. There are significantly fewer alveoli. - ANS Answers:
-The nasal passages are narrower
-The larynx is more funnel-shaped
-There are significantly fewer alveoli
Rationale: In comparison with the adult, in the infant, the nasal passages are narrower, the
trachea and chest wall are more compliant, the bronchi and bronchioles are shorter and
narrower, the larynx is more funnel-shaped, the tongue is larger, and there are significantly
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
,fewer alveoli. These anatomic differences place the infant at higher risk for respiratory
compromise. The respiratory system does not reach adult levels of maturity until about 7 years
of age.
At which age would the nurse expect to find the beginning of object permanence?
a. 1 month
b. 6 months
c. 9 months
d. 12 months - ANS Answer: 6 months
Rationale:
Object permanence begins to develop between 4 and 7 months of age and is solidified by
approximately age 8 months. By age 12 months, the infant knows he or she is separate from
the parent or caregiver.
The nurse caring for newborns knows that infants exhibit phenomenal increases in their gross
motor skills over the first 12 months of life. Which statements accurately describe the typical
infant's achievement of these milestones? Select all that apply.
a. At 1 month, the infant lifts and turns the head to the side in the prone position.
b. At 2 months, the infant rolls from supine to prone to back again.
c. At 6 months, the infant pulls to stand up.
d. At 7 months, the infant sits alone with some use of hands for support.
e. At 9 months, the infant crawls with the abdomen off the floor.
f. At 12 months, the infant walks independently. - ANS Answers:
a. At 1 month, the infant lifts and turns the head to the side in the prone position.
d. At 7 months, the infant sits alone with some use of hands for support.
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
,e. At 9 months, the infant crawls with the abdomen off the floor.
f. At 12 months, the infant walks independently.
Rationale: At 1 month, the infant lifts and turns the head to the side in the prone position. At 7
months, the infant sits alone with some use of hands for support. At 9 months, the infant crawls
with the abdomen off the floor. At 12 months, the infant walks independently. At 4 months, the
infant lifts the head and looks around. At 10 months, the infant pulls to stand up.
The nurse observes an infant interacting with his parents. What are normal social behavioral
developments for this age group? Select all that apply.
a. Around 5 months, the infant may develop stranger anxiety.
b. Around 2 months, the infant exhibits a first real smile.
c. Around 3 months, the infant smiles widely and gurgles when interacting with the caregiver.
d. Around 3 months, the infant will mimic the parent's facial movements, such as sticking out
the tongue.
e. Around 3 to 6 months of age, the infant may enjoy socially interactive games such as patty-
cake and peek-a-boo.
f. Separation anxiety may also start in the last few months of infancy. - ANS Answers:
b. Around 2 months, the infant exhibits a first real smile.
c. Around 3 months, the infant smiles widely and gurgles when interacting with the caregiver.
d. Around 3 months, the infant will mimic the parent's facial movements, such as sticking out
the tongue.
f. Separation anxiety may also start in the last few months of infancy.
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
, Rationale: The infant exhibits a first real smile at age 2 months. By about 3 months of age, the
infant will start an interaction with a caregiver by smiling widely and possibly gurgling. The 3- to
4-month-old will also mimic the parent's facial movements, such as widening the eyes and
sticking out the tongue. Separation anxiety may also start in the last few months of infancy.
Around the age of 8 months, the infant may develop stranger anxiety. At 6 to 8 months of age,
the infant may enjoy socially interactive games such as patty-cake and peek-a-boo.
A new mother shows the nurse that her baby grasps her finger when she touches the baby's
palm. How might the nurse respond to this information?
a. "This is a primitive reflex known as the plantar grasp."
b. "This is a primitive reflex known as the palmar grasp."
c. "This is a protective reflex known as rooting."
d. "This is a protective reflex known as the Moro reflex." - ANS Answer: "This is a primitive
reflex known as the palmar grasp."
Primitive reflexes are subcortical and involve a whole-body response. Selected primitive
reflexes present at birth include Moro, root, suck, asymmetric tonic neck, plantar and palmar
grasp, step, and Babinski. During the palmar grasp, the infant reflexively grasps when the palm
is touched. The plantar grasp occurs when the infant reflexively grasps with the bottom of the
foot when pressure is applied to the plantar surface. The root reflex occurs when the infant's
cheek is stroked and the infant turns to that side, searching with mouth. The Moro reflex is
displayed when with sudden extension of the head, the arms abduct and move upward and the
hands form a "C."
Which reflex, if found in a 4-month-old infant, would cause the nurse to be concerned?
a. Plantar grasp
b. Step
4 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
