Pediatric Nursing Exam Bank 2026-2027: 85
Psychosocial & Cognitive Development
Questions with Rationales for NCLEX-RN
Success
Description:
Master pediatric nursing psychosocial and cognitive development with this comprehensive
2026/2027 exam bank featuring 85 NCLEX-style questions, detailed rationales, and current
developmental milestones.
Download now for exam success!
, Pediatric Nursing Exam Bank 2026: Erikson & Piaget Q&A
SECTION A: PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ACROSS THE LIFESPAN
Question 1
A maternity nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to a new mother regarding her newborn
infant's psychosocial development. According to Erikson's theory of psychosocial development,
which instruction should the nurse prioritize?
A. Allow the newborn infant to signal a need.
B. Anticipate all needs of the newborn infant.
C. Attend to the newborn infant immediately when crying.
D. Avoid the newborn infant during the first 10 minutes of crying.
Answer: A
Explanation: According to Erikson's psychosocial development theory, the first stage (trust
versus mistrust) occurs during infancy from birth to approximately 18 months. During this
critical period, the infant develops a sense of trust when caregivers respond consistently and
appropriately to the infant's signals. Allowing the newborn to signal a need enables the caregiver
to respond sensitively, thereby fostering the development of trust. Anticipating all needs does not
allow the infant to learn communication patterns, while immediately attending to crying may
reinforce excessive crying behaviors. Avoiding the infant during crying periods contradicts the
fundamental principle of responsive caregiving essential for trust development.
Question 2
The nurse is conducting a developmental assessment on a 6-year-old child during a routine well-
child visit. The nurse observes that the child does not recognize objects when they are outside the
visual field. Based on this finding, which action should the nurse take?
A. Report the observation to the pediatrician.
B. Move the objects into the child's direct field of vision.
C. Teach the child how to visually scan the environment.
D. Provide additional lighting for the child during play activities.
,Answer: A
Explanation: Object permanence, the understanding that objects continue to exist even when not
in sight, typically develops during the sensorimotor stage of Piaget's cognitive development
theory, which occurs between birth and approximately 2 years of age. By age 6, a child should
have well-established object permanence. The failure to recognize objects outside the visual field
at this age represents a significant developmental delay requiring immediate professional
evaluation. Reporting this observation to the pediatrician is essential for further assessment and
potential intervention.
Question 3
A pediatric nurse is teaching nursing staff about Piaget's theory of cognitive development. The
nurse correctly identifies which behavior as characteristic of the formal operational stage?
A. The child demonstrates the ability to think abstractly.
B. The child begins to understand the environment.
C. The child can classify, order, and sort facts.
D. The child learns to think in terms of past, present, and future.
Answer: A
Explanation: Piaget's formal operational stage, typically beginning around age 11 and
continuing through adulthood, is characterized by the development of abstract thinking,
deductive reasoning, and hypothetical problem-solving. During this stage, individuals can think
about abstract concepts, formulate hypotheses, and consider multiple perspectives.
Understanding the environment (sensorimotor stage), classifying and ordering facts (concrete
operational stage), and thinking in terms of time (preoperational stage) are characteristics of
earlier developmental stages and do not represent the hallmark features of formal operational
thinking.
, Question 4
The mother of an 8-year-old child expresses concern to the clinic nurse that her child appears
more attentive to friends than to family activities. Using Erikson's psychosocial development
theory, which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. "You need to be concerned about this behavior."
B. "You need to monitor the child's behavior closely."
C. "At this age, the child is developing his own personality."
D. "You need to provide more praise to stop this behavior."
Answer: C
Explanation: According to Erikson's theory, school-age children (ages 6 to 12 years) are in the
industry versus inferiority stage. During this period, peer relationships become increasingly
important as children develop social skills, competence, and self-esteem through interactions
with others outside the family unit. An 8-year-old's increased attention to friends represents
normal developmental progression and the beginning of personality formation independent of
family. This behavior does not warrant concern, monitoring, or behavioral modification through
praise, as it reflects healthy psychosocial development.
Question 5
A parent of a 3-year-old child reports to the clinic nurse that the child is exhibiting constant
rebellious behavior and frequent temper tantrums. Based on Erikson's psychosocial development
theory, which instructions should the nurse provide to the parent? Select all that apply.
A. Set limits on the child's behavior.
B. Ignore the child when this behavior occurs.
C. Allow the behavior, because this is normal at this age period.
D. Provide a simple explanation of why the behavior is unacceptable.
E. Punish the child every time the child says "no" to change the behavior.
Answer: A, D
Explanation: According to Erikson's theory, toddlers (ages 1 to 3 years) are in the autonomy
versus shame and doubt stage. During this period, children are developing independence and
Psychosocial & Cognitive Development
Questions with Rationales for NCLEX-RN
Success
Description:
Master pediatric nursing psychosocial and cognitive development with this comprehensive
2026/2027 exam bank featuring 85 NCLEX-style questions, detailed rationales, and current
developmental milestones.
Download now for exam success!
, Pediatric Nursing Exam Bank 2026: Erikson & Piaget Q&A
SECTION A: PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ACROSS THE LIFESPAN
Question 1
A maternity nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to a new mother regarding her newborn
infant's psychosocial development. According to Erikson's theory of psychosocial development,
which instruction should the nurse prioritize?
A. Allow the newborn infant to signal a need.
B. Anticipate all needs of the newborn infant.
C. Attend to the newborn infant immediately when crying.
D. Avoid the newborn infant during the first 10 minutes of crying.
Answer: A
Explanation: According to Erikson's psychosocial development theory, the first stage (trust
versus mistrust) occurs during infancy from birth to approximately 18 months. During this
critical period, the infant develops a sense of trust when caregivers respond consistently and
appropriately to the infant's signals. Allowing the newborn to signal a need enables the caregiver
to respond sensitively, thereby fostering the development of trust. Anticipating all needs does not
allow the infant to learn communication patterns, while immediately attending to crying may
reinforce excessive crying behaviors. Avoiding the infant during crying periods contradicts the
fundamental principle of responsive caregiving essential for trust development.
Question 2
The nurse is conducting a developmental assessment on a 6-year-old child during a routine well-
child visit. The nurse observes that the child does not recognize objects when they are outside the
visual field. Based on this finding, which action should the nurse take?
A. Report the observation to the pediatrician.
B. Move the objects into the child's direct field of vision.
C. Teach the child how to visually scan the environment.
D. Provide additional lighting for the child during play activities.
,Answer: A
Explanation: Object permanence, the understanding that objects continue to exist even when not
in sight, typically develops during the sensorimotor stage of Piaget's cognitive development
theory, which occurs between birth and approximately 2 years of age. By age 6, a child should
have well-established object permanence. The failure to recognize objects outside the visual field
at this age represents a significant developmental delay requiring immediate professional
evaluation. Reporting this observation to the pediatrician is essential for further assessment and
potential intervention.
Question 3
A pediatric nurse is teaching nursing staff about Piaget's theory of cognitive development. The
nurse correctly identifies which behavior as characteristic of the formal operational stage?
A. The child demonstrates the ability to think abstractly.
B. The child begins to understand the environment.
C. The child can classify, order, and sort facts.
D. The child learns to think in terms of past, present, and future.
Answer: A
Explanation: Piaget's formal operational stage, typically beginning around age 11 and
continuing through adulthood, is characterized by the development of abstract thinking,
deductive reasoning, and hypothetical problem-solving. During this stage, individuals can think
about abstract concepts, formulate hypotheses, and consider multiple perspectives.
Understanding the environment (sensorimotor stage), classifying and ordering facts (concrete
operational stage), and thinking in terms of time (preoperational stage) are characteristics of
earlier developmental stages and do not represent the hallmark features of formal operational
thinking.
, Question 4
The mother of an 8-year-old child expresses concern to the clinic nurse that her child appears
more attentive to friends than to family activities. Using Erikson's psychosocial development
theory, which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. "You need to be concerned about this behavior."
B. "You need to monitor the child's behavior closely."
C. "At this age, the child is developing his own personality."
D. "You need to provide more praise to stop this behavior."
Answer: C
Explanation: According to Erikson's theory, school-age children (ages 6 to 12 years) are in the
industry versus inferiority stage. During this period, peer relationships become increasingly
important as children develop social skills, competence, and self-esteem through interactions
with others outside the family unit. An 8-year-old's increased attention to friends represents
normal developmental progression and the beginning of personality formation independent of
family. This behavior does not warrant concern, monitoring, or behavioral modification through
praise, as it reflects healthy psychosocial development.
Question 5
A parent of a 3-year-old child reports to the clinic nurse that the child is exhibiting constant
rebellious behavior and frequent temper tantrums. Based on Erikson's psychosocial development
theory, which instructions should the nurse provide to the parent? Select all that apply.
A. Set limits on the child's behavior.
B. Ignore the child when this behavior occurs.
C. Allow the behavior, because this is normal at this age period.
D. Provide a simple explanation of why the behavior is unacceptable.
E. Punish the child every time the child says "no" to change the behavior.
Answer: A, D
Explanation: According to Erikson's theory, toddlers (ages 1 to 3 years) are in the autonomy
versus shame and doubt stage. During this period, children are developing independence and
