Evolve HESI Pediatrics Exam – Comprehensive
Practice Test Bank
**1. According to Erikson's psychosocial theory, what is the primary developmental task for a toddler
between the ages of 1 and 3 years?**
A) Trust versus Mistrust
B) Autonomy versus Shame and Doubt
C) Initiative versus Guilt
D) Industry versus Inferiority
**Answer: B**
*Rationale:* Toddlers (1-3 years) are in Erikson's stage of Autonomy versus Shame and Doubt. During
this stage, they develop self-control and willpower. Offering choices supports their sense of
autonomy .
**2. According to Piaget's theory, a child in the preoperational stage (2-7 years) exhibits which
characteristic?**
A) Ability to think abstractly and hypothetically
B) Logical reasoning about concrete events
C) Egocentrism and magical thinking
D) Understanding of conservation and reversibility
**Answer: C**
*Rationale:* The preoperational stage is characterized by egocentrism, magical thinking, and the
inability to see things from another's perspective. Concrete operational stage (7-11 years) involves
logical reasoning about concrete events .
**3. The mother of a 2-year-old tells the nurse, "My child only wants to say 'no' and throws tantrums
when I try to help." What is the best nursing response?**
A) "This is normal behavior for a toddler developing autonomy."
B) "You should punish the tantrums immediately."
C) "Your child may have oppositional defiant disorder."
D) "Ignore the child until the tantrum stops."
,**Answer: A**
*Rationale:* This behavior is typical for a toddler in Erikson's stage of autonomy versus shame and
doubt. The child is asserting independence, and tantrums are a normal part of development at this
age .
**4. At what age do most children walk independently according to normal developmental
milestones?**
A) 9-12 months
B) 12-15 months
C) 15-18 months
D) 18-24 months
**Answer: B**
*Rationale:* Most children walk independently between 12-15 months; however, the normal range is
9-18 months. A 15-month-old who is not walking but is cruising and pulling to stand is within normal
limits. If no walking by 18 months, further evaluation is indicated .
**5. A 4-year-old child should be able to perform which of the following developmental tasks?**
A) Tying shoelaces
B) Riding a tricycle and using scissors
C) Writing their name
D) Dressing without any assistance
**Answer: B**
*Rationale:* A 3-4 year-old preschooler can ride a tricycle, copy a circle, use scissors, and dress with
assistance. Tying shoelaces and writing name are 5-6 year milestones .
**6. Which pain scale is most appropriate for assessing pain in a 6-year-old child?**
A) FLACC Scale
B) NIPS Scale
C) Faces Pain Scale – Revised (FPS-R)
D) Numeric Rating Scale
**Answer: C**
, *Rationale:* The Faces Pain Scale – Revised (FPS-R) is validated for use with children aged 4 to 12
years. The FLACC scale is for preverbal infants, CRIES is for neonates, and the visual analog scale is
more appropriate for older children .
**7. According to Erikson, a 6-month-old infant is in which stage of psychosocial development?**
A) Autonomy versus Shame and Doubt
B) Trust versus Mistrust
C) Initiative versus Guilt
D) Industry versus Inferiority
**Answer: B**
*Rationale:* Trust versus Mistrust is the psychosocial task for infants (birth to 1 year). The infant
develops trust when their needs are consistently met .
**8. A 15-year-old adolescent frequently criticizes her parents and finds fault with them. What
information should the nurse provide to the parents?**
A) The family value system may need to be changed to meet the teen's changing needs.
B) Teens create psychological distance from parents to separate from them.
C) Parents should relinquish their relationship with their teen to the teen's peers.
D) Conflicts in the parent-teen relationship are unusual during adolescence.
**Answer: B**
*Rationale:* Between 15 to 17 years, adolescents tend to have conflicts with their parents as they
struggle with issues of independence and control. Adolescents use critical behavior as a mechanism to
separate from parents .
**9. The nurse is assessing a 14-month-old child. How should the nurse measure the child's length?**
A) Standing height
B) Prone recumbent position
C) Supine recumbent position
D) Side-lying position
**Answer: C**
*Rationale:* Children younger than 24-36 months should be measured for length in the supine
position from crown to heel, known as recumbent length .
Practice Test Bank
**1. According to Erikson's psychosocial theory, what is the primary developmental task for a toddler
between the ages of 1 and 3 years?**
A) Trust versus Mistrust
B) Autonomy versus Shame and Doubt
C) Initiative versus Guilt
D) Industry versus Inferiority
**Answer: B**
*Rationale:* Toddlers (1-3 years) are in Erikson's stage of Autonomy versus Shame and Doubt. During
this stage, they develop self-control and willpower. Offering choices supports their sense of
autonomy .
**2. According to Piaget's theory, a child in the preoperational stage (2-7 years) exhibits which
characteristic?**
A) Ability to think abstractly and hypothetically
B) Logical reasoning about concrete events
C) Egocentrism and magical thinking
D) Understanding of conservation and reversibility
**Answer: C**
*Rationale:* The preoperational stage is characterized by egocentrism, magical thinking, and the
inability to see things from another's perspective. Concrete operational stage (7-11 years) involves
logical reasoning about concrete events .
**3. The mother of a 2-year-old tells the nurse, "My child only wants to say 'no' and throws tantrums
when I try to help." What is the best nursing response?**
A) "This is normal behavior for a toddler developing autonomy."
B) "You should punish the tantrums immediately."
C) "Your child may have oppositional defiant disorder."
D) "Ignore the child until the tantrum stops."
,**Answer: A**
*Rationale:* This behavior is typical for a toddler in Erikson's stage of autonomy versus shame and
doubt. The child is asserting independence, and tantrums are a normal part of development at this
age .
**4. At what age do most children walk independently according to normal developmental
milestones?**
A) 9-12 months
B) 12-15 months
C) 15-18 months
D) 18-24 months
**Answer: B**
*Rationale:* Most children walk independently between 12-15 months; however, the normal range is
9-18 months. A 15-month-old who is not walking but is cruising and pulling to stand is within normal
limits. If no walking by 18 months, further evaluation is indicated .
**5. A 4-year-old child should be able to perform which of the following developmental tasks?**
A) Tying shoelaces
B) Riding a tricycle and using scissors
C) Writing their name
D) Dressing without any assistance
**Answer: B**
*Rationale:* A 3-4 year-old preschooler can ride a tricycle, copy a circle, use scissors, and dress with
assistance. Tying shoelaces and writing name are 5-6 year milestones .
**6. Which pain scale is most appropriate for assessing pain in a 6-year-old child?**
A) FLACC Scale
B) NIPS Scale
C) Faces Pain Scale – Revised (FPS-R)
D) Numeric Rating Scale
**Answer: C**
, *Rationale:* The Faces Pain Scale – Revised (FPS-R) is validated for use with children aged 4 to 12
years. The FLACC scale is for preverbal infants, CRIES is for neonates, and the visual analog scale is
more appropriate for older children .
**7. According to Erikson, a 6-month-old infant is in which stage of psychosocial development?**
A) Autonomy versus Shame and Doubt
B) Trust versus Mistrust
C) Initiative versus Guilt
D) Industry versus Inferiority
**Answer: B**
*Rationale:* Trust versus Mistrust is the psychosocial task for infants (birth to 1 year). The infant
develops trust when their needs are consistently met .
**8. A 15-year-old adolescent frequently criticizes her parents and finds fault with them. What
information should the nurse provide to the parents?**
A) The family value system may need to be changed to meet the teen's changing needs.
B) Teens create psychological distance from parents to separate from them.
C) Parents should relinquish their relationship with their teen to the teen's peers.
D) Conflicts in the parent-teen relationship are unusual during adolescence.
**Answer: B**
*Rationale:* Between 15 to 17 years, adolescents tend to have conflicts with their parents as they
struggle with issues of independence and control. Adolescents use critical behavior as a mechanism to
separate from parents .
**9. The nurse is assessing a 14-month-old child. How should the nurse measure the child's length?**
A) Standing height
B) Prone recumbent position
C) Supine recumbent position
D) Side-lying position
**Answer: C**
*Rationale:* Children younger than 24-36 months should be measured for length in the supine
position from crown to heel, known as recumbent length .
