NSG 3600
CHILDREN'S HEALTH / PEDIATRIC NURSING
NSG 3600 Exam 1: Nursing Practice – Children’s Health
UPDATE
50 Multiple-Choice Questions
Complete Answers with Detailed Rationales
Aligned with Nursing & Pharmacology Standards
Galen College of Nursing
For academic study and exam review • Verify with current course materials
,NSG 3600 Exam 1 Nursing Practice Children s Health D | 2026/2027
How to Use This Review
This comprehensive exam review contains high-yield multiple-choice questions. Each item includes the correct answer
and an expanded rationale explaining the underlying principle, why the correct option is preferred, and why distractors are
incorrect. Study tip: Attempt each question before reading the answer, then carefully review the rationale.
Page 2
, NSG 3600 Exam 1 Nursing Practice Children s Health D | 2026/2027
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child’s growth and development. According to Erikson, which developmental task
should the child be working on?
A. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
B. Trust vs. Mistrust
C. Industry vs. Inferiority
D. Initiative vs. Guilt
Answer: D
Rationale
For preschoolers (ages 3 to 6), the developmental task is Initiative vs. Guilt, where children begin to assert power and control
through play and social interaction. Understanding this concept is essential for safe clinical decision-making. Incorrect choices
often reflect common misconceptions. Always link assessment findings to the primary process and anticipated complications.
Question 2
When performing a physical assessment on a 10-month-old infant, in which order should the nurse perform the
following actions?
A. Measure weight and height, examine throat, auscultate lungs
B. Inspect ears and throat, auscultate heart and lungs, palpate abdomen
C. Auscultate heart and lungs, measure head circumference, inspect ears and throat
D. Palpate fontanelles, inspect throat, auscultate heart
Answer: C
Rationale
In infants, non-invasive procedures (auscultation) should be done first while the infant is quiet, and invasive or upsetting
procedures (throat/ear exams) should be done last. Understanding this concept is essential for safe clinical decision-making.
Incorrect choices often reflect common misconceptions. Always link assessment findings to the primary process and
anticipated complications.
Question 3
A 2-year-old child is admitted to the pediatric unit. The nurse notes the child cries loudly when the parents leave and
refuses to play with others. This behavior represents which stage of separation anxiety?
A. Protest
B. Denial
C. Despair
D. Detachment
Answer: A
Rationale
The protest phase is characterized by loud crying, screaming, and searching for the parent. Despair is characterized by
withdrawal and sadness, while detachment is a defense mechanism. Understanding this concept is essential for safe clinical
decision-making. Incorrect choices often reflect common misconceptions. Always link assessment findings to the primary
process and anticipated complications.
Page 3
CHILDREN'S HEALTH / PEDIATRIC NURSING
NSG 3600 Exam 1: Nursing Practice – Children’s Health
UPDATE
50 Multiple-Choice Questions
Complete Answers with Detailed Rationales
Aligned with Nursing & Pharmacology Standards
Galen College of Nursing
For academic study and exam review • Verify with current course materials
,NSG 3600 Exam 1 Nursing Practice Children s Health D | 2026/2027
How to Use This Review
This comprehensive exam review contains high-yield multiple-choice questions. Each item includes the correct answer
and an expanded rationale explaining the underlying principle, why the correct option is preferred, and why distractors are
incorrect. Study tip: Attempt each question before reading the answer, then carefully review the rationale.
Page 2
, NSG 3600 Exam 1 Nursing Practice Children s Health D | 2026/2027
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child’s growth and development. According to Erikson, which developmental task
should the child be working on?
A. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
B. Trust vs. Mistrust
C. Industry vs. Inferiority
D. Initiative vs. Guilt
Answer: D
Rationale
For preschoolers (ages 3 to 6), the developmental task is Initiative vs. Guilt, where children begin to assert power and control
through play and social interaction. Understanding this concept is essential for safe clinical decision-making. Incorrect choices
often reflect common misconceptions. Always link assessment findings to the primary process and anticipated complications.
Question 2
When performing a physical assessment on a 10-month-old infant, in which order should the nurse perform the
following actions?
A. Measure weight and height, examine throat, auscultate lungs
B. Inspect ears and throat, auscultate heart and lungs, palpate abdomen
C. Auscultate heart and lungs, measure head circumference, inspect ears and throat
D. Palpate fontanelles, inspect throat, auscultate heart
Answer: C
Rationale
In infants, non-invasive procedures (auscultation) should be done first while the infant is quiet, and invasive or upsetting
procedures (throat/ear exams) should be done last. Understanding this concept is essential for safe clinical decision-making.
Incorrect choices often reflect common misconceptions. Always link assessment findings to the primary process and
anticipated complications.
Question 3
A 2-year-old child is admitted to the pediatric unit. The nurse notes the child cries loudly when the parents leave and
refuses to play with others. This behavior represents which stage of separation anxiety?
A. Protest
B. Denial
C. Despair
D. Detachment
Answer: A
Rationale
The protest phase is characterized by loud crying, screaming, and searching for the parent. Despair is characterized by
withdrawal and sadness, while detachment is a defense mechanism. Understanding this concept is essential for safe clinical
decision-making. Incorrect choices often reflect common misconceptions. Always link assessment findings to the primary
process and anticipated complications.
Page 3
