NURS 328: PEDIATRIC NURSING
COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A 4-year-old child is hospitalized. According to Erikson’s theory of psychosocial
development, which task should the nurse help the child achieve?
A. Initiative vs. Guilt
B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
C. Trust vs. Mistrust
D. Industry vs. Inferiority
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Children aged 3 to 6 years are in the Initiative vs. Guilt stage,
where they begin to initiate activities and assert control through social interaction and
play.
2. When assessing a 10-month-old infant, which finding should the nurse report to the
provider immediately?
A. The infant cannot sit steadily without support.
,B. The infant has not yet tripled their birth weight.
C. The infant displays head lag when pulled to a sitting position.
D. The infant uses a pincer grasp to pick up small objects.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Head lag should disappear by 4 to 6 months of age. Its presence
at 10 months indicates a potential developmental delay or neurological issue.
3. A nurse is providing discharge instructions to the parents of a child with a new diagnosis of
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. What should be included regarding exercise?
A. A snack should be consumed before participating in sports.
B. Extra insulin should be administered before strenuous exercise.
C. Exercise should be restricted to prevent hypoglycemia.
D. Exercise should only be done when blood glucose is above 250 mg/dL.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Exercise lowers blood glucose levels; therefore, a carbohydrate
snack is needed before activity to prevent hypoglycemia. Insulin should not be increased
before exercise.
4. Which clinical manifestation is a classic sign of Pyloric Stenosis in an infant?
A. Projectile vomiting after feedings
B. Currant jelly-like stools
, C. Biliary-stained vomitus
D. Abdominal distension and failure to pass meconium
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Projectile, non-biliary vomiting is the hallmark sign of pyloric
stenosis due to the narrowing of the pyloric sphincter.
5. A child is admitted with suspected Intussusception. Which assessment finding supports this
diagnosis?
A. Ribbon-like stools
B. Stools containing blood and mucus (currant jelly)
C. Olive-shaped mass in the epigastrium
D. Weight loss and greasy, foul-smelling stools
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Intussusception causes intestinal obstruction and ischemia,
leading to the passage of ‘currant jelly’ stools (blood and mucus).
6. The nurse is caring for a child with Tetralogy of Fallot who suddenly becomes cyanotic and
dyspneic. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Place the child in a knee-chest position.
B. Administer 100% oxygen via mask.
C. Prepare to administer morphine sulfate.
COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A 4-year-old child is hospitalized. According to Erikson’s theory of psychosocial
development, which task should the nurse help the child achieve?
A. Initiative vs. Guilt
B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
C. Trust vs. Mistrust
D. Industry vs. Inferiority
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Children aged 3 to 6 years are in the Initiative vs. Guilt stage,
where they begin to initiate activities and assert control through social interaction and
play.
2. When assessing a 10-month-old infant, which finding should the nurse report to the
provider immediately?
A. The infant cannot sit steadily without support.
,B. The infant has not yet tripled their birth weight.
C. The infant displays head lag when pulled to a sitting position.
D. The infant uses a pincer grasp to pick up small objects.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Head lag should disappear by 4 to 6 months of age. Its presence
at 10 months indicates a potential developmental delay or neurological issue.
3. A nurse is providing discharge instructions to the parents of a child with a new diagnosis of
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. What should be included regarding exercise?
A. A snack should be consumed before participating in sports.
B. Extra insulin should be administered before strenuous exercise.
C. Exercise should be restricted to prevent hypoglycemia.
D. Exercise should only be done when blood glucose is above 250 mg/dL.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Exercise lowers blood glucose levels; therefore, a carbohydrate
snack is needed before activity to prevent hypoglycemia. Insulin should not be increased
before exercise.
4. Which clinical manifestation is a classic sign of Pyloric Stenosis in an infant?
A. Projectile vomiting after feedings
B. Currant jelly-like stools
, C. Biliary-stained vomitus
D. Abdominal distension and failure to pass meconium
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Projectile, non-biliary vomiting is the hallmark sign of pyloric
stenosis due to the narrowing of the pyloric sphincter.
5. A child is admitted with suspected Intussusception. Which assessment finding supports this
diagnosis?
A. Ribbon-like stools
B. Stools containing blood and mucus (currant jelly)
C. Olive-shaped mass in the epigastrium
D. Weight loss and greasy, foul-smelling stools
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Intussusception causes intestinal obstruction and ischemia,
leading to the passage of ‘currant jelly’ stools (blood and mucus).
6. The nurse is caring for a child with Tetralogy of Fallot who suddenly becomes cyanotic and
dyspneic. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Place the child in a knee-chest position.
B. Administer 100% oxygen via mask.
C. Prepare to administer morphine sulfate.
