Pediatric Nursing exam 1
practice questions with correct
answers
The nurse is seeing an adolescent and the parents in the clinic for the first time.
Which should the nurse do first?
a. Introduce him- or herself.
b. Make the family comfortable.
c. Give assurance of privacy.
d. Explain the purpose of the interview. - correct answer ANS: A
The first thing that nurses must do is to introduce themselves to the patient and
family. Parents and other adults should be addressed with appropriate titles unless
they specify a preferred name. Clarification of the purpose of the interview and the
nurse's role is the second thing that should be done. During the initial part of the
interview, the nurse should include general conversation to help make the family
feel at ease. The interview also should take place in an environment as free of
distraction as possible. In addition, the nurse should clarify which information will be
shared with other members of the health care team and any limits to the
confidentiality.
Which is considered a block to effective communication?
a. Using silence
b. Using clichés
c. Directing the focus
d. Defining the problem - correct answer ANS: B
Using stereotyped comments or clichés can block effective communication. After
the nurse uses such trite phrases, parents often do not respond. Silence can be an
effective interviewing tool. Silence permits the interviewee to sort out thoughts and
feelings and search for responses to questions. To be effective, the nurse must be
able to direct the focus of the interview while allowing maximum freedom of
expression. By using open-ended questions and guiding questions, the nurse can
,obtain the necessary information and maintain a relationship with the family. The
nurse and parent must collaborate and define the problem that will be the focus of
the nursing intervention.
Which is the single most important factor to consider when communicating with
children?
a. Presence of the child's parent
b. Child's physical condition
c. Child's developmental level
d. Child's nonverbal behaviors - correct answer ANS: C
The nurse must be aware of the child's developmental stage to engage in effective
communication. The use of both verbal and nonverbal communication should be
appropriate to the developmental level. Nonverbal behaviors vary in importance
based on the child's developmental level and physical condition. Although the
child's physical condition is a consideration, developmental level is much more
important. The presence of parents is important when communicating with young
children but may be detrimental when speaking with adolescents.
Because children younger than 5 years are egocentric, the nurse should do which
when communicating with them?
a. Focus communication on the child.
b. Use easy analogies when possible.
c. Explain experiences of others to the child.
d. Assure the child that communication is private - correct answer ANS: A
Because children of this age are able to see things only in terms of themselves, the
best approach is to focus communication directly on them. Children should be
provided with information about what they can do and how they will feel. With
children who are egocentric, analogies, experiences, and assurances that
communication is private will not be effective because the child is not capable of
understanding.
The nurse's approach when introducing hospital equipment to a preschooler who
seems afraid should be based on which principle?a. The child may think the
equipment is alive.
b. Explaining the equipment will only increase the child's fear.
c. One brief explanation will be enough to reduce the child's fear.
,d. The child is too young to understand what the equipment does. - correct answer
ANS: A
Young children attribute human characteristics to inanimate objects. They often fear
that the objects may jump, bite, cut, or pinch all by themselves without human
direction. Equipment should be kept out of sight until needed. Simple, concrete
explanations about what the equipment does and how it will feel will help alleviate
the child's fear. Preschoolers need repeated explanations as reassurance.
When the nurse interviews an adolescent, which is especially important?
a. Focus the discussion on the peer group.
b. Allow an opportunity to express feelings.
c. Use the same type of language as the adolescent.
d. Emphasize that confidentiality will always be maintained. - correct answer ANS:
B
Adolescents, like all children, need opportunities to express their feelings. Often
they interject feelings into their words. The nurse must be alert to the words and
feelings expressed. The nurse should maintain a professional relationship with
adolescents. To avoid misunderstanding or misinterpretation of words and phrases
used, the nurse should clarify the terms used, what information will be shared with
other members of the health care team, and any limits to confidentiality. Although
the peer group is important to this age group, the interview should focus on the
adolescent.
The nurse is preparing to assess a 10-month-old infant. He is sitting on his father's
lap and appears to be afraid of the nurse and of what might happen next. Which
initial actions by the nurse should be most appropriate?
a. Initiate a game of peek-a-boo.
b. Ask the infant's father to place the infant on the examination table.
c. Talk softly to the infant while taking him from his father.
d. Undress the infant while he is still sitting on his father's lap. - correct answer
ANS: A
Peek-a-boo is an excellent means of initiating communication with infants while
maintaining a safe, nonthreatening distance. The child will most likely become
upset if separated from his father. As much of the assessment as possible should be
done with the child on the father's lap. The nurse should have the father undress
the child as needed during the examination.
, An 8-year-old girl asks the nurse how the blood pressure apparatus works. The most
appropriate nursing action is which?
a. Ask her why she wants to know.
b. Determine why she is so anxious.
c. Explain in simple terms how it works.
d. Tell her she will see how it works as it is used. - correct answer ANS: C
School-age children require explanations and reasons for everything. They are
interested in the functional aspect of all procedures, objects, and activities. It is
appropriate for the nurse to explain how equipment works and what will happen to
the child so that the child can then observe during the procedure. The nurse should
respond positively for requests for information about procedures and health
information. By not responding, the nurse may be limiting communication with the
child. The child is not exhibiting anxiety in asking how the blood pressure apparatus
works, just requesting clarification of what will occur.
The nurse is having difficulty communicating with a hospitalized 6-year-old child.
Which technique should be most helpful?
a. Recommend that the child keep a diary.
b. Provide supplies for the child to draw a picture.
c. Suggest that the parent read fairy tales to the child.
d. Ask the parent if the child is always uncommunicative. - correct answer ANS: B
Drawing is one of the most valuable forms of communication. Children's drawings
tell a great deal about them because they are projections of the children's inner
self. A diary should be difficult for a 6-year-old child, who is most likely learning to
read. The parent reading fairy tales to the child is a passive activity involving the
parent and child; it should not facilitate communication with the nurse. The child is
in a stressful situation and is probably uncomfortable with strangers, not always
uncommunicative.
Which data should be included in a health history?
a. Review of systems
b. Physical assessment
c. Growth measurements
d. Record of vital signs - correct answer ANS: A
A review of systems is done to elicit information concerning any potential health
problems. This further guides the interview process. Physical assessment, growth
practice questions with correct
answers
The nurse is seeing an adolescent and the parents in the clinic for the first time.
Which should the nurse do first?
a. Introduce him- or herself.
b. Make the family comfortable.
c. Give assurance of privacy.
d. Explain the purpose of the interview. - correct answer ANS: A
The first thing that nurses must do is to introduce themselves to the patient and
family. Parents and other adults should be addressed with appropriate titles unless
they specify a preferred name. Clarification of the purpose of the interview and the
nurse's role is the second thing that should be done. During the initial part of the
interview, the nurse should include general conversation to help make the family
feel at ease. The interview also should take place in an environment as free of
distraction as possible. In addition, the nurse should clarify which information will be
shared with other members of the health care team and any limits to the
confidentiality.
Which is considered a block to effective communication?
a. Using silence
b. Using clichés
c. Directing the focus
d. Defining the problem - correct answer ANS: B
Using stereotyped comments or clichés can block effective communication. After
the nurse uses such trite phrases, parents often do not respond. Silence can be an
effective interviewing tool. Silence permits the interviewee to sort out thoughts and
feelings and search for responses to questions. To be effective, the nurse must be
able to direct the focus of the interview while allowing maximum freedom of
expression. By using open-ended questions and guiding questions, the nurse can
,obtain the necessary information and maintain a relationship with the family. The
nurse and parent must collaborate and define the problem that will be the focus of
the nursing intervention.
Which is the single most important factor to consider when communicating with
children?
a. Presence of the child's parent
b. Child's physical condition
c. Child's developmental level
d. Child's nonverbal behaviors - correct answer ANS: C
The nurse must be aware of the child's developmental stage to engage in effective
communication. The use of both verbal and nonverbal communication should be
appropriate to the developmental level. Nonverbal behaviors vary in importance
based on the child's developmental level and physical condition. Although the
child's physical condition is a consideration, developmental level is much more
important. The presence of parents is important when communicating with young
children but may be detrimental when speaking with adolescents.
Because children younger than 5 years are egocentric, the nurse should do which
when communicating with them?
a. Focus communication on the child.
b. Use easy analogies when possible.
c. Explain experiences of others to the child.
d. Assure the child that communication is private - correct answer ANS: A
Because children of this age are able to see things only in terms of themselves, the
best approach is to focus communication directly on them. Children should be
provided with information about what they can do and how they will feel. With
children who are egocentric, analogies, experiences, and assurances that
communication is private will not be effective because the child is not capable of
understanding.
The nurse's approach when introducing hospital equipment to a preschooler who
seems afraid should be based on which principle?a. The child may think the
equipment is alive.
b. Explaining the equipment will only increase the child's fear.
c. One brief explanation will be enough to reduce the child's fear.
,d. The child is too young to understand what the equipment does. - correct answer
ANS: A
Young children attribute human characteristics to inanimate objects. They often fear
that the objects may jump, bite, cut, or pinch all by themselves without human
direction. Equipment should be kept out of sight until needed. Simple, concrete
explanations about what the equipment does and how it will feel will help alleviate
the child's fear. Preschoolers need repeated explanations as reassurance.
When the nurse interviews an adolescent, which is especially important?
a. Focus the discussion on the peer group.
b. Allow an opportunity to express feelings.
c. Use the same type of language as the adolescent.
d. Emphasize that confidentiality will always be maintained. - correct answer ANS:
B
Adolescents, like all children, need opportunities to express their feelings. Often
they interject feelings into their words. The nurse must be alert to the words and
feelings expressed. The nurse should maintain a professional relationship with
adolescents. To avoid misunderstanding or misinterpretation of words and phrases
used, the nurse should clarify the terms used, what information will be shared with
other members of the health care team, and any limits to confidentiality. Although
the peer group is important to this age group, the interview should focus on the
adolescent.
The nurse is preparing to assess a 10-month-old infant. He is sitting on his father's
lap and appears to be afraid of the nurse and of what might happen next. Which
initial actions by the nurse should be most appropriate?
a. Initiate a game of peek-a-boo.
b. Ask the infant's father to place the infant on the examination table.
c. Talk softly to the infant while taking him from his father.
d. Undress the infant while he is still sitting on his father's lap. - correct answer
ANS: A
Peek-a-boo is an excellent means of initiating communication with infants while
maintaining a safe, nonthreatening distance. The child will most likely become
upset if separated from his father. As much of the assessment as possible should be
done with the child on the father's lap. The nurse should have the father undress
the child as needed during the examination.
, An 8-year-old girl asks the nurse how the blood pressure apparatus works. The most
appropriate nursing action is which?
a. Ask her why she wants to know.
b. Determine why she is so anxious.
c. Explain in simple terms how it works.
d. Tell her she will see how it works as it is used. - correct answer ANS: C
School-age children require explanations and reasons for everything. They are
interested in the functional aspect of all procedures, objects, and activities. It is
appropriate for the nurse to explain how equipment works and what will happen to
the child so that the child can then observe during the procedure. The nurse should
respond positively for requests for information about procedures and health
information. By not responding, the nurse may be limiting communication with the
child. The child is not exhibiting anxiety in asking how the blood pressure apparatus
works, just requesting clarification of what will occur.
The nurse is having difficulty communicating with a hospitalized 6-year-old child.
Which technique should be most helpful?
a. Recommend that the child keep a diary.
b. Provide supplies for the child to draw a picture.
c. Suggest that the parent read fairy tales to the child.
d. Ask the parent if the child is always uncommunicative. - correct answer ANS: B
Drawing is one of the most valuable forms of communication. Children's drawings
tell a great deal about them because they are projections of the children's inner
self. A diary should be difficult for a 6-year-old child, who is most likely learning to
read. The parent reading fairy tales to the child is a passive activity involving the
parent and child; it should not facilitate communication with the nurse. The child is
in a stressful situation and is probably uncomfortable with strangers, not always
uncommunicative.
Which data should be included in a health history?
a. Review of systems
b. Physical assessment
c. Growth measurements
d. Record of vital signs - correct answer ANS: A
A review of systems is done to elicit information concerning any potential health
problems. This further guides the interview process. Physical assessment, growth
