PEDS EXAM 2026/2027 — 210 ORIGINAL EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS & RATIONALES
SECTION 1 — Pediatric Health, Growth & Development
1. Which factor has the greatest influence on an infant's growth during
the first year of life?
A. Birth order
B. Nutrition
C. School environment
D. Peer relationships
Answer: B
Rationale: Adequate nutrition is essential for the rapid growth and
development that occurs during infancy.
2. Which developmental task is most characteristic of the toddler
period?
A. Developing trust
B. Developing autonomy
C. Developing industry
D. Developing identity
Answer: B
Rationale: Toddlers work toward independence and autonomy while
learning to control their environment.
,3. According to Erikson, the major psychosocial task of infancy is:
A. Trust versus mistrust
B. Initiative versus guilt
C. Industry versus inferiority
D. Identity versus role confusion
Answer: A
Rationale: Consistent caregiving helps infants develop trust.
4. A 2-year-old child is most likely to demonstrate which behavior?
A. Abstract reasoning
B. Parallel play
C. Formal logic
D. Cooperative team play
Answer: B
Rationale: Parallel play is typical during the toddler years.
5. Which developmental characteristic is expected in a preschool-age
child?
A. Magical thinking
B. Abstract thinking
C. Formal operational reasoning
D. Complete understanding of conservation
,Answer: A
Rationale: Preschoolers commonly use magical thinking and may
believe thoughts can cause events.
6. Which activity is most appropriate for a hospitalized toddler?
A. Complex board game
B. Coloring with simple materials
C. Competitive sports
D. Abstract puzzle
Answer: B
Rationale: Toddlers benefit from simple activities that encourage
exploration and independence.
7. A school-age child is primarily developing which psychosocial
characteristic according to Erikson?
A. Autonomy
B. Trust
C. Industry
D. Identity
Answer: C
Rationale: School-age children develop competence through learning
and accomplishing tasks.
8. Which behavior is most typical of an adolescent?
, A. Dependence on parents for all decisions
B. Development of personal identity
C. Parallel play
D. Magical thinking
Answer: B
Rationale: Adolescence is associated with identity formation and
increasing independence.
9. Which assessment is particularly important when evaluating infant
development?
A. Academic grades
B. Developmental milestones
C. Employment history
D. Driving history
Answer: B
Rationale: Developmental milestones provide important information
about neurologic and developmental progress.
10. A newborn has a respiratory rate of 44/min. How should the nurse
interpret this finding?
A. Severe bradypnea
B. Expected newborn finding
C. Severe tachypnea
D. Apnea
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS & RATIONALES
SECTION 1 — Pediatric Health, Growth & Development
1. Which factor has the greatest influence on an infant's growth during
the first year of life?
A. Birth order
B. Nutrition
C. School environment
D. Peer relationships
Answer: B
Rationale: Adequate nutrition is essential for the rapid growth and
development that occurs during infancy.
2. Which developmental task is most characteristic of the toddler
period?
A. Developing trust
B. Developing autonomy
C. Developing industry
D. Developing identity
Answer: B
Rationale: Toddlers work toward independence and autonomy while
learning to control their environment.
,3. According to Erikson, the major psychosocial task of infancy is:
A. Trust versus mistrust
B. Initiative versus guilt
C. Industry versus inferiority
D. Identity versus role confusion
Answer: A
Rationale: Consistent caregiving helps infants develop trust.
4. A 2-year-old child is most likely to demonstrate which behavior?
A. Abstract reasoning
B. Parallel play
C. Formal logic
D. Cooperative team play
Answer: B
Rationale: Parallel play is typical during the toddler years.
5. Which developmental characteristic is expected in a preschool-age
child?
A. Magical thinking
B. Abstract thinking
C. Formal operational reasoning
D. Complete understanding of conservation
,Answer: A
Rationale: Preschoolers commonly use magical thinking and may
believe thoughts can cause events.
6. Which activity is most appropriate for a hospitalized toddler?
A. Complex board game
B. Coloring with simple materials
C. Competitive sports
D. Abstract puzzle
Answer: B
Rationale: Toddlers benefit from simple activities that encourage
exploration and independence.
7. A school-age child is primarily developing which psychosocial
characteristic according to Erikson?
A. Autonomy
B. Trust
C. Industry
D. Identity
Answer: C
Rationale: School-age children develop competence through learning
and accomplishing tasks.
8. Which behavior is most typical of an adolescent?
, A. Dependence on parents for all decisions
B. Development of personal identity
C. Parallel play
D. Magical thinking
Answer: B
Rationale: Adolescence is associated with identity formation and
increasing independence.
9. Which assessment is particularly important when evaluating infant
development?
A. Academic grades
B. Developmental milestones
C. Employment history
D. Driving history
Answer: B
Rationale: Developmental milestones provide important information
about neurologic and developmental progress.
10. A newborn has a respiratory rate of 44/min. How should the nurse
interpret this finding?
A. Severe bradypnea
B. Expected newborn finding
C. Severe tachypnea
D. Apnea
