,1. The growth and development theory that describes a series of eight stages from infancy to
late adulthood, each with a developmental crisis, is:
A) Sigmund Freud's Psychosexual Theory
B) Jean Piaget's Cognitive Theory
C) Erik Erikson's Psychosocial Theory
D) Lawrence Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development
Correct Answer: Erik Erikson's Psychosocial Theory
Rationale: Erikson's theory outlines eight psychosocial stages, each presenting a crisis like Trust
vs. Mistrust that must be resolved for healthy personality development. Freud's theory focuses
on psychosexual stages, Piaget's on cognitive development, and Kohlberg's on moral reasoning,
making Erikson the correct answer for psychosocial crises.
2. A nurse is reviewing an infant's developmental milestones. According to the cephalocaudal
pattern of development, which milestone would the nurse expect to see first?
A) Walking independently
B) Holding the head up
C) Sitting without support
D) Standing while holding furniture
Correct Answer: Holding the head up
Rationale: Cephalocaudal development proceeds from the head downward. Infants first gain
control of their neck muscles, enabling head lifting, followed by upper body control, sitting, and
eventually standing and walking. This head-to-toe sequence is a fundamental principle of
growth and development.
,3. What is a characteristic of growth and development in children?
A) It follows a random, unpredictable pattern
B) It progresses at a uniform rate for all children
C) It follows an orderly pattern from simple to complex
D) It only affects physical size, not function
Correct Answer: It follows an orderly pattern from simple to complex
Rationale: Growth and development occur in an orderly, sequential pattern from simple to
complex actions, moving from gross to fine motor skills. While continuous, it occurs in spurts,
progresses at varying rates per child, and affects all body systems, making the orderly
progression a key characteristic.
4. A 2-year-old child is noted to have a potbelly appearance. This finding is most likely due to an
exaggerated lumbar curve known as:
A) Scoliosis
B) Lordosis
C) Kyphosis
D) Bowlegs
Correct Answer: Lordosis
Rationale: The exaggerated lumbar curve in a toddler causes the common potbelly appearance.
This is normal as abdominal muscles are still developing. Scoliosis involves lateral spine
curvature, kyphosis is a forward curvature, and bowlegs is a lower leg deviation.
5. By which age range does the anterior fontanel typically close?
A) 2 to 4 months
, B) 6 to 10 months
C) 12 to 18 months
D) 24 to 30 months
Correct Answer: 12 to 18 months
Rationale: The anterior fontanel, the larger diamond-shaped soft spot on the front of the skull,
usually closes between 12 and 18 months of age. The posterior fontanel, in contrast, closes by
about the fourth month. This closure is a normal developmental marker.
6. A nurse is assessing the motor skills of a 3-year-old child. Which finding would the nurse
consider an expected developmental milestone?
A) Jumping rope and skipping
B) Balancing on one foot
C) Tying shoelaces independently
D) Catching a ball with one hand
Correct Answer: Balancing on one foot
Rationale: By age 3, children typically can balance on one foot, jump with both feet, and walk up
steps with alternating feet. More complex skills like jumping rope and tying shoelaces develop
later in the preschool or school-age years.
7. A parent expresses concern that their 4-year-old child is jealous of a new sibling. Which
response by the nurse is most appropriate regarding sibling rivalry?
A) "You should always take the older child's side."
B) "Let the children resolve their crises themselves."
C) "Punish the child for being jealous."
late adulthood, each with a developmental crisis, is:
A) Sigmund Freud's Psychosexual Theory
B) Jean Piaget's Cognitive Theory
C) Erik Erikson's Psychosocial Theory
D) Lawrence Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development
Correct Answer: Erik Erikson's Psychosocial Theory
Rationale: Erikson's theory outlines eight psychosocial stages, each presenting a crisis like Trust
vs. Mistrust that must be resolved for healthy personality development. Freud's theory focuses
on psychosexual stages, Piaget's on cognitive development, and Kohlberg's on moral reasoning,
making Erikson the correct answer for psychosocial crises.
2. A nurse is reviewing an infant's developmental milestones. According to the cephalocaudal
pattern of development, which milestone would the nurse expect to see first?
A) Walking independently
B) Holding the head up
C) Sitting without support
D) Standing while holding furniture
Correct Answer: Holding the head up
Rationale: Cephalocaudal development proceeds from the head downward. Infants first gain
control of their neck muscles, enabling head lifting, followed by upper body control, sitting, and
eventually standing and walking. This head-to-toe sequence is a fundamental principle of
growth and development.
,3. What is a characteristic of growth and development in children?
A) It follows a random, unpredictable pattern
B) It progresses at a uniform rate for all children
C) It follows an orderly pattern from simple to complex
D) It only affects physical size, not function
Correct Answer: It follows an orderly pattern from simple to complex
Rationale: Growth and development occur in an orderly, sequential pattern from simple to
complex actions, moving from gross to fine motor skills. While continuous, it occurs in spurts,
progresses at varying rates per child, and affects all body systems, making the orderly
progression a key characteristic.
4. A 2-year-old child is noted to have a potbelly appearance. This finding is most likely due to an
exaggerated lumbar curve known as:
A) Scoliosis
B) Lordosis
C) Kyphosis
D) Bowlegs
Correct Answer: Lordosis
Rationale: The exaggerated lumbar curve in a toddler causes the common potbelly appearance.
This is normal as abdominal muscles are still developing. Scoliosis involves lateral spine
curvature, kyphosis is a forward curvature, and bowlegs is a lower leg deviation.
5. By which age range does the anterior fontanel typically close?
A) 2 to 4 months
, B) 6 to 10 months
C) 12 to 18 months
D) 24 to 30 months
Correct Answer: 12 to 18 months
Rationale: The anterior fontanel, the larger diamond-shaped soft spot on the front of the skull,
usually closes between 12 and 18 months of age. The posterior fontanel, in contrast, closes by
about the fourth month. This closure is a normal developmental marker.
6. A nurse is assessing the motor skills of a 3-year-old child. Which finding would the nurse
consider an expected developmental milestone?
A) Jumping rope and skipping
B) Balancing on one foot
C) Tying shoelaces independently
D) Catching a ball with one hand
Correct Answer: Balancing on one foot
Rationale: By age 3, children typically can balance on one foot, jump with both feet, and walk up
steps with alternating feet. More complex skills like jumping rope and tying shoelaces develop
later in the preschool or school-age years.
7. A parent expresses concern that their 4-year-old child is jealous of a new sibling. Which
response by the nurse is most appropriate regarding sibling rivalry?
A) "You should always take the older child's side."
B) "Let the children resolve their crises themselves."
C) "Punish the child for being jealous."
