NR-328 PEDIATRIC NURSING EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
100 Questions & Answers
SECTION 1: GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT (Questions 1-15)
1. According to Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, what is the developmental
task of infancy (birth to 1 year)?
Answer: Trust vs. Mistrust. The infant learns to trust caregivers through consistent, responsive
care.
2. What is the expected weight gain pattern for a newborn in the first 6 months of life?
Answer: Infants typically gain 5-7 oz (140-200g) per week, doubling their birth weight by 5-6
months.
3. At what age does the anterior fontanel typically close?
Answer: Between 12-18 months (average 14 months).
4. According to Piaget, what stage of cognitive development characterizes the toddler (1-3
years)?
Answer: Sensorimotor stage (ending around age 2) transitioning to Preoperational stage.
5. What is the average head circumference of a newborn?
Answer: 32-36 cm (13-14 inches), approximately 2 cm larger than chest circumference.
6. What developmental milestone should a 6-month-old infant achieve?
Answer: Sits with support, rolls from prone to supine, transfers objects hand to hand, babbles.
7. What is the recommended age for the first MMR vaccine?
Answer: 12-15 months.
8. According to Freud, what psychosexual stage occurs during the preschool years (3-6
years)?
Answer: Phallic stage.
9. What is the average length of a full-term newborn?
Answer: 48-52 cm (18.5-20 inches).
10. At what age does a child typically begin to walk independently?
Answer: 12-15 months.
11. What is the recommended daily caloric intake for infants per kilogram?
Answer: 108-120 calories/kg/day.
12. What is the definition of "stranger anxiety" and when does it typically peak?
Answer: Fear of unfamiliar people; peaks at 8-9 months.
, 13. What is the expected height increase during the toddler years (1-3 years)?
Answer: Approximately 3 inches (7.5 cm) per year.
14. What developmental characteristic defines the school-age child (6-12 years) according
to Erikson?
Answer: Industry vs. Inferiority - developing competence through school and social activities.
15. What is the average blood pressure for a 1-year-old?
Answer: 90/56 mmHg (range: 72-104 systolic, 40-70 diastolic).
SECTION 2: PEDIATRIC ASSESSMENT (Questions 16-30)
16. What is the correct sequence for pediatric physical assessment?
Answer: Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation - but for infants/children, minimize
distress by doing least invasive first (inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation).
17. What is the normal respiratory rate for a newborn?
Answer: 30-60 breaths per minute.
18. What is the normal heart rate for a 2-year-old at rest?
Answer: 80-130 beats per minute.
19. What temperature measurement method is most accurate for infants under 3 months?
Answer: Rectal temperature.
20. What is the significance of sunken fontanels in an infant?
Answer: Indicates dehydration.
21. What is the normal capillary refill time in children?
Answer: Less than 2 seconds.
22. What is the appropriate cuff size for blood pressure measurement in children?
Answer: Cuff width should be 40% of arm circumference, covering 80-100% of arm
circumference.
23. What is the normal urine output for children per hour?
Answer: 1-2 mL/kg/hour.
24. What does a bulging anterior fontanel indicate?
Answer: Increased intracranial pressure.
25. What is the recommended pain assessment scale for children ages 3-7 years?
Answer: Faces Pain Scale-Revised (FPS-R) or Wong-Baker FACES scale.
26. What vital sign change is most sensitive indicator of shock in children?
Answer: Tachycardia (heart rate increases before blood pressure drops).
100 Questions & Answers
SECTION 1: GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT (Questions 1-15)
1. According to Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, what is the developmental
task of infancy (birth to 1 year)?
Answer: Trust vs. Mistrust. The infant learns to trust caregivers through consistent, responsive
care.
2. What is the expected weight gain pattern for a newborn in the first 6 months of life?
Answer: Infants typically gain 5-7 oz (140-200g) per week, doubling their birth weight by 5-6
months.
3. At what age does the anterior fontanel typically close?
Answer: Between 12-18 months (average 14 months).
4. According to Piaget, what stage of cognitive development characterizes the toddler (1-3
years)?
Answer: Sensorimotor stage (ending around age 2) transitioning to Preoperational stage.
5. What is the average head circumference of a newborn?
Answer: 32-36 cm (13-14 inches), approximately 2 cm larger than chest circumference.
6. What developmental milestone should a 6-month-old infant achieve?
Answer: Sits with support, rolls from prone to supine, transfers objects hand to hand, babbles.
7. What is the recommended age for the first MMR vaccine?
Answer: 12-15 months.
8. According to Freud, what psychosexual stage occurs during the preschool years (3-6
years)?
Answer: Phallic stage.
9. What is the average length of a full-term newborn?
Answer: 48-52 cm (18.5-20 inches).
10. At what age does a child typically begin to walk independently?
Answer: 12-15 months.
11. What is the recommended daily caloric intake for infants per kilogram?
Answer: 108-120 calories/kg/day.
12. What is the definition of "stranger anxiety" and when does it typically peak?
Answer: Fear of unfamiliar people; peaks at 8-9 months.
, 13. What is the expected height increase during the toddler years (1-3 years)?
Answer: Approximately 3 inches (7.5 cm) per year.
14. What developmental characteristic defines the school-age child (6-12 years) according
to Erikson?
Answer: Industry vs. Inferiority - developing competence through school and social activities.
15. What is the average blood pressure for a 1-year-old?
Answer: 90/56 mmHg (range: 72-104 systolic, 40-70 diastolic).
SECTION 2: PEDIATRIC ASSESSMENT (Questions 16-30)
16. What is the correct sequence for pediatric physical assessment?
Answer: Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation - but for infants/children, minimize
distress by doing least invasive first (inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation).
17. What is the normal respiratory rate for a newborn?
Answer: 30-60 breaths per minute.
18. What is the normal heart rate for a 2-year-old at rest?
Answer: 80-130 beats per minute.
19. What temperature measurement method is most accurate for infants under 3 months?
Answer: Rectal temperature.
20. What is the significance of sunken fontanels in an infant?
Answer: Indicates dehydration.
21. What is the normal capillary refill time in children?
Answer: Less than 2 seconds.
22. What is the appropriate cuff size for blood pressure measurement in children?
Answer: Cuff width should be 40% of arm circumference, covering 80-100% of arm
circumference.
23. What is the normal urine output for children per hour?
Answer: 1-2 mL/kg/hour.
24. What does a bulging anterior fontanel indicate?
Answer: Increased intracranial pressure.
25. What is the recommended pain assessment scale for children ages 3-7 years?
Answer: Faces Pain Scale-Revised (FPS-R) or Wong-Baker FACES scale.
26. What vital sign change is most sensitive indicator of shock in children?
Answer: Tachycardia (heart rate increases before blood pressure drops).
