,NSG 434 Exam 2 Nursing Care of the Childrearing Family Questions
And Answers 2026/2027 Grand canyon university
Q1. Which finding is most consistent with moderate dehydration in
an infant?
A) Bounding pulses and increased urine output
B) Sunken eyes with decreased skin turgor and reduced urine output
C) Hypertension with moist mucous membranes
D) Increased tears and a full fontanel
Correct Answer: B) Sunken eyes with decreased skin turgor and reduced
urine output
Rationale: Moderate dehydration causes measurable fluid loss and
commonly produces decreased urine output, dry mucous membranes,
sunken eyes, and decreased skin turgor.
Q2. Which finding most strongly indicates severe dehydration in a
child?
A) Increased thirst with normal perfusion
B) Mildly dry mucous membranes
C) Hypotension with markedly decreased urine output
D) Moist mucous membranes
Correct Answer: C) Hypotension with markedly decreased urine output
Rationale: Severe dehydration can significantly reduce circulating volume,
producing hypotension, oliguria, poor perfusion, and altered mental status.
Q3. Which intervention is appropriate for a child with mild
dehydration who can drink safely?
A) Begin oral rehydration therapy using an appropriate oral rehydration
solution.
B) Restrict all fluids.
C) Administer a loop diuretic.
D) Give plain water as the only replacement fluid.
Correct Answer: A) Begin oral rehydration therapy using an appropriate oral
rehydration solution.
Rationale: Oral rehydration solutions provide water and electrolytes in
proportions that facilitate intestinal absorption and are appropriate for many
children with mild dehydration.
,Q4. A child with severe dehydration is lethargic, hypotensive, and
unable to tolerate oral fluids. Which intervention should the nurse
anticipate?
A) Delay fluid replacement until diarrhea stops.
B) Encourage solid foods.
C) Restrict sodium intake.
D) Initiate intravenous fluid resuscitation as prescribed.
Correct Answer: D) Initiate intravenous fluid resuscitation as prescribed.
Rationale: Severe dehydration with hemodynamic compromise requires
prompt restoration of intravascular volume, often through isotonic IV fluids.
Q5. Which finding is most concerning for water intoxication in a
young child?
A) Increased thirst after exercise
B) Mild dry lips
C) Headache, vomiting, or neurologic changes after excessive free-water
intake
D) Normal urine output
Correct Answer: C) Headache, vomiting, or neurologic changes after
excessive free-water intake
Rationale: Excessive free-water intake can dilute serum sodium, producing
hyponatremia and potentially causing cerebral edema and neurologic
symptoms.
Q6. Which assessment finding is expected in a child with significant
acute diarrhea?
A) Increased urine output
B) Decreased urine output with dry mucous membranes
C) Hypertension and bounding pulses
D) Increased body weight
Correct Answer: B) Decreased urine output with dry mucous membranes
Rationale: Diarrhea can produce substantial fluid and electrolyte losses,
resulting in dehydration and decreased renal perfusion.
Q7. Which intervention is most appropriate for a child with
uncomplicated acute diarrhea?
, A) Replace fluid and electrolyte losses while continuing age-appropriate
nutrition as tolerated.
B) Withhold all fluids for 24 hours.
C) Administer antidiarrheal medication routinely to every child.
D) Eliminate all carbohydrates permanently.
Correct Answer: A) Replace fluid and electrolyte losses while continuing age-
appropriate nutrition as tolerated.
Rationale: Management of acute diarrhea centers on preventing or
correcting dehydration while maintaining appropriate nutrition and
monitoring for complications.
Q8. Which route is the most common way many infectious causes of
pediatric diarrhea are transmitted?
A) Fecal-oral
B) Airborne
C) Vector-borne
D) Transplacental
Correct Answer: A) Fecal-oral
Rationale: Many gastrointestinal pathogens are transmitted through
contaminated hands, food, water, or surfaces, making hand hygiene
especially important.
Q9. A child has chronic diarrhea and poor weight gain. Which
nursing concern should receive priority?
A) Risk for nutritional deficiency and impaired growth
B) Risk for hypertension
C) Risk for excessive weight gain
D) Risk for urinary retention
Correct Answer: A) Risk for nutritional deficiency and impaired growth
Rationale: Chronic diarrhea can cause malabsorption and ongoing nutrient
losses, placing children at risk for inadequate growth and nutritional
deficiencies.
Q10. Which finding is most characteristic of Hirschsprung disease in
a newborn?
A) Projectile nonbilious vomiting
B) Failure to pass meconium within the expected period after birth
And Answers 2026/2027 Grand canyon university
Q1. Which finding is most consistent with moderate dehydration in
an infant?
A) Bounding pulses and increased urine output
B) Sunken eyes with decreased skin turgor and reduced urine output
C) Hypertension with moist mucous membranes
D) Increased tears and a full fontanel
Correct Answer: B) Sunken eyes with decreased skin turgor and reduced
urine output
Rationale: Moderate dehydration causes measurable fluid loss and
commonly produces decreased urine output, dry mucous membranes,
sunken eyes, and decreased skin turgor.
Q2. Which finding most strongly indicates severe dehydration in a
child?
A) Increased thirst with normal perfusion
B) Mildly dry mucous membranes
C) Hypotension with markedly decreased urine output
D) Moist mucous membranes
Correct Answer: C) Hypotension with markedly decreased urine output
Rationale: Severe dehydration can significantly reduce circulating volume,
producing hypotension, oliguria, poor perfusion, and altered mental status.
Q3. Which intervention is appropriate for a child with mild
dehydration who can drink safely?
A) Begin oral rehydration therapy using an appropriate oral rehydration
solution.
B) Restrict all fluids.
C) Administer a loop diuretic.
D) Give plain water as the only replacement fluid.
Correct Answer: A) Begin oral rehydration therapy using an appropriate oral
rehydration solution.
Rationale: Oral rehydration solutions provide water and electrolytes in
proportions that facilitate intestinal absorption and are appropriate for many
children with mild dehydration.
,Q4. A child with severe dehydration is lethargic, hypotensive, and
unable to tolerate oral fluids. Which intervention should the nurse
anticipate?
A) Delay fluid replacement until diarrhea stops.
B) Encourage solid foods.
C) Restrict sodium intake.
D) Initiate intravenous fluid resuscitation as prescribed.
Correct Answer: D) Initiate intravenous fluid resuscitation as prescribed.
Rationale: Severe dehydration with hemodynamic compromise requires
prompt restoration of intravascular volume, often through isotonic IV fluids.
Q5. Which finding is most concerning for water intoxication in a
young child?
A) Increased thirst after exercise
B) Mild dry lips
C) Headache, vomiting, or neurologic changes after excessive free-water
intake
D) Normal urine output
Correct Answer: C) Headache, vomiting, or neurologic changes after
excessive free-water intake
Rationale: Excessive free-water intake can dilute serum sodium, producing
hyponatremia and potentially causing cerebral edema and neurologic
symptoms.
Q6. Which assessment finding is expected in a child with significant
acute diarrhea?
A) Increased urine output
B) Decreased urine output with dry mucous membranes
C) Hypertension and bounding pulses
D) Increased body weight
Correct Answer: B) Decreased urine output with dry mucous membranes
Rationale: Diarrhea can produce substantial fluid and electrolyte losses,
resulting in dehydration and decreased renal perfusion.
Q7. Which intervention is most appropriate for a child with
uncomplicated acute diarrhea?
, A) Replace fluid and electrolyte losses while continuing age-appropriate
nutrition as tolerated.
B) Withhold all fluids for 24 hours.
C) Administer antidiarrheal medication routinely to every child.
D) Eliminate all carbohydrates permanently.
Correct Answer: A) Replace fluid and electrolyte losses while continuing age-
appropriate nutrition as tolerated.
Rationale: Management of acute diarrhea centers on preventing or
correcting dehydration while maintaining appropriate nutrition and
monitoring for complications.
Q8. Which route is the most common way many infectious causes of
pediatric diarrhea are transmitted?
A) Fecal-oral
B) Airborne
C) Vector-borne
D) Transplacental
Correct Answer: A) Fecal-oral
Rationale: Many gastrointestinal pathogens are transmitted through
contaminated hands, food, water, or surfaces, making hand hygiene
especially important.
Q9. A child has chronic diarrhea and poor weight gain. Which
nursing concern should receive priority?
A) Risk for nutritional deficiency and impaired growth
B) Risk for hypertension
C) Risk for excessive weight gain
D) Risk for urinary retention
Correct Answer: A) Risk for nutritional deficiency and impaired growth
Rationale: Chronic diarrhea can cause malabsorption and ongoing nutrient
losses, placing children at risk for inadequate growth and nutritional
deficiencies.
Q10. Which finding is most characteristic of Hirschsprung disease in
a newborn?
A) Projectile nonbilious vomiting
B) Failure to pass meconium within the expected period after birth
