NR 222 Comprehensive Final Exam Prep | 150+ Practice
Questions on Developmental Theories & Core Nursing
Concepts with Rationales, Case Studies, and A+ Guaranteed
Pass Resource (2026 Edition)
1. A nurse is assessing a 4-month-old infant. According to Erikson, which psychosocial task is the infant
developing?
A) Autonomy vs. Shame
B) Trust vs. Mistrust
C) Initiative vs. Guilt
D) Industry vs. Inferiority
Correct Answer: B) Trust vs. Mistrust
Rationale: Erikson’s first stage (birth–1 year) is Trust vs. Mistrust. The infant develops trust through
consistent, responsive caregiving.
2. According to Piaget, a toddler who pretends a block is a phone is in which stage?
A) Sensorimotor
B) Preoperational
C) Concrete operational
D) Formal operational
Correct Answer: B) Preoperational
Rationale: Preoperational stage (2–7 years) includes symbolic play and egocentrism. Pretend play
emerges here.
3. A nurse caring for an older adult who reflects on life with satisfaction is demonstrating successful
completion of Erikson’s:
A) Generativity vs. Stagnation
,B) Identity vs. Role Confusion
C) Integrity vs. Despair
D) Intimacy vs. Isolation
Correct Answer: C) Integrity vs. Despair
Rationale: Late adulthood (65+ years) focuses on integrity (acceptance of life) vs. despair (regret).
4. Kohlberg’s preconventional level of moral development is characterized by:
A) Obeying rules to maintain social order
B) Following internalized ethical principles
C) Avoiding punishment and seeking reward
D) Acting according to societal laws
Correct Answer: C) Avoiding punishment and seeking reward
Rationale: Preconventional level (common in children) focuses on consequences: punishment avoidance
and reward seeking.
5. Piaget’s concrete operational stage includes the ability to:
A) Think abstractly
B) Understand conservation
C) Use object permanence
D) Engage in hypothetical reasoning
Correct Answer: B) Understand conservation
Rationale: Concrete operational stage (7–11 years) masters conservation (quantity remains same
despite shape change). Abstract thinking occurs in formal operational.
6. A young adult chooses a career and forms a life partner. This aligns with Erikson’s:
A) Industry vs. Inferiority
B) Identity vs. Role Confusion
C) Intimacy vs. Isolation
D) Generativity vs. Stagnation
Correct Answer: C) Intimacy vs. Isolation
Rationale: Young adulthood (20–40 years) focuses on forming intimate relationships and commitments.
,7. According to Freud, a preschooler who is fixated on genital exploration is in which stage?
A) Oral
B) Anal
C) Phallic
D) Latency
Correct Answer: C) Phallic
Rationale: Phallic stage (3–6 years) focuses on genital awareness and Oedipus/Electra complex.
8. Which theorist emphasized the role of social and cultural influences on cognitive development?
A) Piaget
B) Vygotsky
C) Kohlberg
D) Gilligan
Correct Answer: B) Vygotsky
Rationale: Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory highlights learning through social interaction and the Zone of
Proximal Development (ZPD).
9. A school-age child who enjoys building models and earning praise is in Erikson’s:
A) Initiative vs. Guilt
B) Industry vs. Inferiority
C) Autonomy vs. Shame
D) Identity vs. Role Confusion
Correct Answer: B) Industry vs. Inferiority
Rationale: School age (6–12 years) focuses on competence and mastery of skills; success leads to
industry.
10. Gilligan criticized Kohlberg’s theory for:
A) Overemphasizing abstract reasoning
B) Ignoring gender differences in moral reasoning
C) Focusing only on children
D) Excluding cultural variations
, Correct Answer: B) Ignoring gender differences in moral reasoning
Rationale: Gilligan argued Kohlberg’s model (based on male subjects) undervalued an “ethic of care”
common in female moral reasoning.
11. An adolescent who tries out different hairstyles and friend groups is exploring:
A) Role confusion
B) Identity formation
C) Moral relativism
D) Concrete operations
Correct Answer: B) Identity formation
Rationale: Erikson’s Identity vs. Role Confusion stage involves experimentation to develop a coherent
self-identity.
12. According to Maslow, which need must be met before safety needs?
A) Esteem
B) Belonging
C) Physiological
D) Self-actualization
Correct Answer: C) Physiological
Rationale: Maslow’s hierarchy: Physiological (food, water, warmth) → Safety → Love/Belonging →
Esteem → Self-actualization.
13. A patient with terminal cancer says, “I feel at peace with my life.” This reflects:
A) Generativity
B) Despair
C) Integrity
D) Stagnation
Correct Answer: C) Integrity
Rationale: Integrity involves acceptance of life’s successes and failures, leading to wisdom and peace.
14. Piaget’s term for adjusting existing schemas to fit new information is:
A) Assimilation
B) Accommodation
Questions on Developmental Theories & Core Nursing
Concepts with Rationales, Case Studies, and A+ Guaranteed
Pass Resource (2026 Edition)
1. A nurse is assessing a 4-month-old infant. According to Erikson, which psychosocial task is the infant
developing?
A) Autonomy vs. Shame
B) Trust vs. Mistrust
C) Initiative vs. Guilt
D) Industry vs. Inferiority
Correct Answer: B) Trust vs. Mistrust
Rationale: Erikson’s first stage (birth–1 year) is Trust vs. Mistrust. The infant develops trust through
consistent, responsive caregiving.
2. According to Piaget, a toddler who pretends a block is a phone is in which stage?
A) Sensorimotor
B) Preoperational
C) Concrete operational
D) Formal operational
Correct Answer: B) Preoperational
Rationale: Preoperational stage (2–7 years) includes symbolic play and egocentrism. Pretend play
emerges here.
3. A nurse caring for an older adult who reflects on life with satisfaction is demonstrating successful
completion of Erikson’s:
A) Generativity vs. Stagnation
,B) Identity vs. Role Confusion
C) Integrity vs. Despair
D) Intimacy vs. Isolation
Correct Answer: C) Integrity vs. Despair
Rationale: Late adulthood (65+ years) focuses on integrity (acceptance of life) vs. despair (regret).
4. Kohlberg’s preconventional level of moral development is characterized by:
A) Obeying rules to maintain social order
B) Following internalized ethical principles
C) Avoiding punishment and seeking reward
D) Acting according to societal laws
Correct Answer: C) Avoiding punishment and seeking reward
Rationale: Preconventional level (common in children) focuses on consequences: punishment avoidance
and reward seeking.
5. Piaget’s concrete operational stage includes the ability to:
A) Think abstractly
B) Understand conservation
C) Use object permanence
D) Engage in hypothetical reasoning
Correct Answer: B) Understand conservation
Rationale: Concrete operational stage (7–11 years) masters conservation (quantity remains same
despite shape change). Abstract thinking occurs in formal operational.
6. A young adult chooses a career and forms a life partner. This aligns with Erikson’s:
A) Industry vs. Inferiority
B) Identity vs. Role Confusion
C) Intimacy vs. Isolation
D) Generativity vs. Stagnation
Correct Answer: C) Intimacy vs. Isolation
Rationale: Young adulthood (20–40 years) focuses on forming intimate relationships and commitments.
,7. According to Freud, a preschooler who is fixated on genital exploration is in which stage?
A) Oral
B) Anal
C) Phallic
D) Latency
Correct Answer: C) Phallic
Rationale: Phallic stage (3–6 years) focuses on genital awareness and Oedipus/Electra complex.
8. Which theorist emphasized the role of social and cultural influences on cognitive development?
A) Piaget
B) Vygotsky
C) Kohlberg
D) Gilligan
Correct Answer: B) Vygotsky
Rationale: Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory highlights learning through social interaction and the Zone of
Proximal Development (ZPD).
9. A school-age child who enjoys building models and earning praise is in Erikson’s:
A) Initiative vs. Guilt
B) Industry vs. Inferiority
C) Autonomy vs. Shame
D) Identity vs. Role Confusion
Correct Answer: B) Industry vs. Inferiority
Rationale: School age (6–12 years) focuses on competence and mastery of skills; success leads to
industry.
10. Gilligan criticized Kohlberg’s theory for:
A) Overemphasizing abstract reasoning
B) Ignoring gender differences in moral reasoning
C) Focusing only on children
D) Excluding cultural variations
, Correct Answer: B) Ignoring gender differences in moral reasoning
Rationale: Gilligan argued Kohlberg’s model (based on male subjects) undervalued an “ethic of care”
common in female moral reasoning.
11. An adolescent who tries out different hairstyles and friend groups is exploring:
A) Role confusion
B) Identity formation
C) Moral relativism
D) Concrete operations
Correct Answer: B) Identity formation
Rationale: Erikson’s Identity vs. Role Confusion stage involves experimentation to develop a coherent
self-identity.
12. According to Maslow, which need must be met before safety needs?
A) Esteem
B) Belonging
C) Physiological
D) Self-actualization
Correct Answer: C) Physiological
Rationale: Maslow’s hierarchy: Physiological (food, water, warmth) → Safety → Love/Belonging →
Esteem → Self-actualization.
13. A patient with terminal cancer says, “I feel at peace with my life.” This reflects:
A) Generativity
B) Despair
C) Integrity
D) Stagnation
Correct Answer: C) Integrity
Rationale: Integrity involves acceptance of life’s successes and failures, leading to wisdom and peace.
14. Piaget’s term for adjusting existing schemas to fit new information is:
A) Assimilation
B) Accommodation
