NURS 4331 EXAM 2:
NURSING CARE OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS –
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM (UTA) QUESTIONS AND 100%
VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES GRADED A+ LATEST
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
Question 1
A 9-year-old child is admitted for routine health screening. Which finding best
reflects normal psychosocial development for this age?
A. Prefers parallel play with peers
B. Demonstrates concern about completing tasks well
C. Shows fear of separation from parents
D. Engages primarily in fantasy play
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: School-age children are in Erikson’s stage of industry vs. inferiority,
characterized by a strong desire to achieve, complete tasks, and gain competence.
Question 2
The nurse is teaching parents about Peak Height Velocity (PHV). Which statement
indicates correct understanding?
A. PHV occurs earlier in males than females
B. PHV is the period of most rapid growth during puberty
C. PHV marks the end of pubertal development
D. PHV occurs before the onset of secondary sex characteristics
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: PHV refers to the time during puberty when the adolescent experiences
the fastest rate of linear growth.
,Question 3
A school-age child with type 1 diabetes reports feeling shaky and dizzy during
recess. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Administer insulin
B. Check blood glucose level
C. Encourage vigorous activity
D. Notify the provider immediately
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Symptoms suggest hypoglycemia. Blood glucose must be assessed first
to guide immediate intervention.
Question 4
Which laboratory finding is most consistent with iron-deficiency anemia in a
child?
A. Elevated hemoglobin
B. Increased mean corpuscular volume
C. Decreased hematocrit
D. Elevated reticulocyte count
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Iron-deficiency anemia commonly presents with decreased hemoglobin
and hematocrit due to impaired red blood cell production.
Question 5
A child undergoing chemotherapy is neutropenic. Which nursing intervention is
most appropriate?
A. Encourage fresh fruits and vegetables
B. Restrict visitors with recent illness
C. Administer live vaccines
D. Limit hand hygiene to staff only
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Neutropenia increases infection risk; limiting exposure to potential
pathogens is essential.
Question 6
The nurse is caring for a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Which
finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Mild fatigue
B. Platelet count of 18,000/mm³
C. Decreased appetite
D. Hair loss
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Severe thrombocytopenia places the child at high risk for bleeding and
requires urgent management.
Question 7
Which assessment finding is expected in a child with a ventricular septal defect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Harsh holosystolic murmur
C. Bounding pulses only in lower extremities
D. Cyanosis at rest in infancy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ventricular septal defects typically produce a loud holosystolic murmur
due to blood flow between ventricles.
, Question 8
An adolescent expresses feelings of hopelessness and states, “Everyone would be
better off without me.” What is the nurse’s best response?
A. “You should try to think more positively.”
B. “Are you thinking about hurting yourself?”
C. “Many teens feel this way sometimes.”
D. “Let’s talk about your school stress.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Direct questioning about suicidal ideation is critical and does not
increase risk; it allows for immediate safety assessment.
Question 9
Which safety intervention is most effective in preventing adolescent injury-related
deaths?
A. Helmet use education
B. Driver safety and seat belt education
C. Water safety classes
D. Home fire drills
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death in adolescents;
driver safety education is a primary prevention strategy.
Question 10
A child with a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt presents with headache, vomiting,
and decreased level of consciousness. What does the nurse suspect?
A. Shunt infection
B. Shunt malfunction
C. Normal shunt adjustment
D. Dehydration
NURSING CARE OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS –
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM (UTA) QUESTIONS AND 100%
VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES GRADED A+ LATEST
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
Question 1
A 9-year-old child is admitted for routine health screening. Which finding best
reflects normal psychosocial development for this age?
A. Prefers parallel play with peers
B. Demonstrates concern about completing tasks well
C. Shows fear of separation from parents
D. Engages primarily in fantasy play
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: School-age children are in Erikson’s stage of industry vs. inferiority,
characterized by a strong desire to achieve, complete tasks, and gain competence.
Question 2
The nurse is teaching parents about Peak Height Velocity (PHV). Which statement
indicates correct understanding?
A. PHV occurs earlier in males than females
B. PHV is the period of most rapid growth during puberty
C. PHV marks the end of pubertal development
D. PHV occurs before the onset of secondary sex characteristics
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: PHV refers to the time during puberty when the adolescent experiences
the fastest rate of linear growth.
,Question 3
A school-age child with type 1 diabetes reports feeling shaky and dizzy during
recess. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Administer insulin
B. Check blood glucose level
C. Encourage vigorous activity
D. Notify the provider immediately
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Symptoms suggest hypoglycemia. Blood glucose must be assessed first
to guide immediate intervention.
Question 4
Which laboratory finding is most consistent with iron-deficiency anemia in a
child?
A. Elevated hemoglobin
B. Increased mean corpuscular volume
C. Decreased hematocrit
D. Elevated reticulocyte count
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Iron-deficiency anemia commonly presents with decreased hemoglobin
and hematocrit due to impaired red blood cell production.
Question 5
A child undergoing chemotherapy is neutropenic. Which nursing intervention is
most appropriate?
A. Encourage fresh fruits and vegetables
B. Restrict visitors with recent illness
C. Administer live vaccines
D. Limit hand hygiene to staff only
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Neutropenia increases infection risk; limiting exposure to potential
pathogens is essential.
Question 6
The nurse is caring for a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Which
finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Mild fatigue
B. Platelet count of 18,000/mm³
C. Decreased appetite
D. Hair loss
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Severe thrombocytopenia places the child at high risk for bleeding and
requires urgent management.
Question 7
Which assessment finding is expected in a child with a ventricular septal defect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Harsh holosystolic murmur
C. Bounding pulses only in lower extremities
D. Cyanosis at rest in infancy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ventricular septal defects typically produce a loud holosystolic murmur
due to blood flow between ventricles.
, Question 8
An adolescent expresses feelings of hopelessness and states, “Everyone would be
better off without me.” What is the nurse’s best response?
A. “You should try to think more positively.”
B. “Are you thinking about hurting yourself?”
C. “Many teens feel this way sometimes.”
D. “Let’s talk about your school stress.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Direct questioning about suicidal ideation is critical and does not
increase risk; it allows for immediate safety assessment.
Question 9
Which safety intervention is most effective in preventing adolescent injury-related
deaths?
A. Helmet use education
B. Driver safety and seat belt education
C. Water safety classes
D. Home fire drills
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death in adolescents;
driver safety education is a primary prevention strategy.
Question 10
A child with a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt presents with headache, vomiting,
and decreased level of consciousness. What does the nurse suspect?
A. Shunt infection
B. Shunt malfunction
C. Normal shunt adjustment
D. Dehydration
