CHILD LIFE CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION TEST
PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
◉ A physician enters a room alone to obtain informed consent for an
upcoming procedure from a family who, in handoff, has been reported to
understand English but is primarily Spanish speaking. What should the
child life specialist do next? Answer: The child life specialist contacts
interpretation services, in advocacy, to alert them that the family is
currently meeting with the physician and is questioning their full
comprehension of the consent.
◉ Upon discharge from the hospital, a patient invites a child life
specialist to come to his upcoming birthday party. The child life
specialist explains why they cannot have a relationship with the patient
outside of the hospital. The child life specialist is maintaining what type
of relationship with the patient? Answer: a therapeutic relationship
◉ A child life specialist engages a patient in a therapeutic activity.
During this activity, the child expresses fears about their upcoming
surgery. Which of the following is the most appropriate way for a child
life specialist to effectively communicate this child's concerns to the care
team? Answer: chart in the patient's medical record
,◉ Which of the following describes a child life specialist's obligation to
maintain confidentiality? Answer: to respect and protect the privacy of
others
◉ How long after a child is no longer a patient must a child life
specialist wait until they can begin a personal relationship with the
mother? Answer: two years
◉ To ensure that the documentation about the intervention provided to a
patient is comprehensive, the chart note written by the child life
specialist should contain Answer: assessment information, plan of care,
and outcomes of care
◉ Being a mandated reporter means that a child life specialist is
required to Answer: report the suspected abuse or neglect following
hospital protocol, including documenting those steps taken
◉ A principle of evidence-based practice is Answer: integrating
evidence from current research with professional expertise and patient
preferences
◉ Which of the following behaviors may alert child life specialists that
they may not be maintaining professional boundaries? Answer: feeling
an exaggerated sense of responsibility for things beyond one's control
, ◉ A child is separated briefly from a parent and upon return, the child is
hesitant to interact with the parent. According to John Bowlby's
attachment theory, this is an example of Answer: detachment
◉ Which theory best illustrates how a new diagnosis affects not only the
patient, but also the entire family? Answer: family systems theory
◉ According to the Stress Potential Assessment Process, which health
care variables would warrant the rating of a 5? Answer: a 10-year-old
admitted to the Intensive Care unit with Guillain-Barre Syndrome who is
angry and rejecting everyone who enters the room
◉ Which model of assessment assigns a risk level score using eight
variables that correlates with the potential risk of negative patient
behaviors or outcomes during healthcare encounters? Answer:
Psychosocial Risk Assessment in Pediatrics
◉ How can a child life specialist promote positive coping and best
practice for siblings of a child in the hospital? Answer: Allow siblings to
participate in the patient's care, including attending playroom and being
involved in education and coping plans made
◉ While having a blood draw, a child elects to play iSpy with a child life
specialist rather than watching the procedure? Answer: cognitve
PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
◉ A physician enters a room alone to obtain informed consent for an
upcoming procedure from a family who, in handoff, has been reported to
understand English but is primarily Spanish speaking. What should the
child life specialist do next? Answer: The child life specialist contacts
interpretation services, in advocacy, to alert them that the family is
currently meeting with the physician and is questioning their full
comprehension of the consent.
◉ Upon discharge from the hospital, a patient invites a child life
specialist to come to his upcoming birthday party. The child life
specialist explains why they cannot have a relationship with the patient
outside of the hospital. The child life specialist is maintaining what type
of relationship with the patient? Answer: a therapeutic relationship
◉ A child life specialist engages a patient in a therapeutic activity.
During this activity, the child expresses fears about their upcoming
surgery. Which of the following is the most appropriate way for a child
life specialist to effectively communicate this child's concerns to the care
team? Answer: chart in the patient's medical record
,◉ Which of the following describes a child life specialist's obligation to
maintain confidentiality? Answer: to respect and protect the privacy of
others
◉ How long after a child is no longer a patient must a child life
specialist wait until they can begin a personal relationship with the
mother? Answer: two years
◉ To ensure that the documentation about the intervention provided to a
patient is comprehensive, the chart note written by the child life
specialist should contain Answer: assessment information, plan of care,
and outcomes of care
◉ Being a mandated reporter means that a child life specialist is
required to Answer: report the suspected abuse or neglect following
hospital protocol, including documenting those steps taken
◉ A principle of evidence-based practice is Answer: integrating
evidence from current research with professional expertise and patient
preferences
◉ Which of the following behaviors may alert child life specialists that
they may not be maintaining professional boundaries? Answer: feeling
an exaggerated sense of responsibility for things beyond one's control
, ◉ A child is separated briefly from a parent and upon return, the child is
hesitant to interact with the parent. According to John Bowlby's
attachment theory, this is an example of Answer: detachment
◉ Which theory best illustrates how a new diagnosis affects not only the
patient, but also the entire family? Answer: family systems theory
◉ According to the Stress Potential Assessment Process, which health
care variables would warrant the rating of a 5? Answer: a 10-year-old
admitted to the Intensive Care unit with Guillain-Barre Syndrome who is
angry and rejecting everyone who enters the room
◉ Which model of assessment assigns a risk level score using eight
variables that correlates with the potential risk of negative patient
behaviors or outcomes during healthcare encounters? Answer:
Psychosocial Risk Assessment in Pediatrics
◉ How can a child life specialist promote positive coping and best
practice for siblings of a child in the hospital? Answer: Allow siblings to
participate in the patient's care, including attending playroom and being
involved in education and coping plans made
◉ While having a blood draw, a child elects to play iSpy with a child life
specialist rather than watching the procedure? Answer: cognitve
