HESI RN PEDIATRICS V2 EXAM WITH
VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS||
ALREADY GRADED +|| LATEST UPDATE 2026
Growth and Development
1. The mother of a 15-month-old asks if it's normal that her child is not
walking independently. What is the nurse's best response?
A) "Most walk by 12 months; this is a significant delay."
B) "Some normal children walk as late as 18 months. Let's assess other
milestones."
C) "You should start physical therapy immediately."
D) "This always indicates a neurological problem."
Answer: B
Rationale: Independent walking typically occurs between 12–15 months, with a
normal range up to 18 months. Assessing other milestones first is appropriate.
2. At what age should an infant be able to roll from back to front?
A) 2 months
B) 4–6 months
C) 8 months
D) 10 months
Answer: B
Rationale: Rolling over is typically achieved by 4–6 months.
3. Which statement by a 5-year-old indicates correct understanding of
conservation?
A) "The tall glass has more juice even though you poured it from the short fat
glass."
B) "If you break my cookie in half, I have more pieces."
C) "My sister is older so she is taller."
Answer: A
Rationale: Conservation is the understanding that quantity remains the same
despite changes in shape or arrangement. This is a Piagetian concept typically
,mastered in the concrete operational stage (ages 7–11), but some 5-year-olds
may begin to grasp it.
4. The nurse expects which gross motor skill in a 2.5-year-old?
A) Riding a tricycle
B) Building a tower of 6–7 blocks
C) Tying shoelaces
D) Hopping on one foot
Answer: B
Rationale: By age 2, toddlers can build a tower of 6–7 blocks. Tricycle riding
occurs at 3 years. Tying shoelaces occurs at 5–6 years.
5. A 15-month-old toddler is brought to the clinic. Which finding is of most
concern?
A) The toddler has a vocabulary of 5 words.
B) The toddler walks with a wide base.
C) The toddler cannot hold a spoon to feed himself.
D) The toddler has a head circumference larger than chest.
Answer: C
Rationale: By 15 months, a toddler should be able to hold a spoon with some
spilling. A wide-based gait is normal until about 18 months.
6. Which gross motor behaviors should the nurse assess for when
conducting a health maintenance visit for a 4-year-old client? Select all that
apply.
1. Skating
2. Skipping
3. Jumping rope
4. Catching a ball
5. Hopping on one foot
Answer: 2, 4, 5
Rationale: Skipping, catching a ball, and hopping on one foot are
expected gross motor skills for a 4-year-old. Skating and jumping rope
are typically achieved later.
7. A nurse is assessing a child's developmental milestones. The child can
build a tower of 6 cubes, uses a spoon with some spilling, and walks up
stairs with assistance. What age is this child?
A) 12 months
B) 18 months
,C) 24 months
D) 36 months
Answer: C
Rationale: These milestones are consistent with a 2-year-old (24 months).
8. During a well-baby check, the nurse assesses a 6-month-old infant.
Which developmental milestone should the nurse expect?
A) Sitting independently without support
B) Walking while holding onto furniture
C) Using a neat pincer grasp
D) Rolling from back to abdomen
Answer: D
Rationale: By 6 months, an infant should roll from back to abdomen. Sitting
independently is usually achieved around 8 months, and the pincer grasp
appears around 9 months.
9. The nurse is assessing a 5-year-old child's fine motor skills. Which
behavior is expected?
A) Drawing a stick figure
B) Using scissors to cut a straight line
C) Buttoning small buttons
D) Writing full sentences
Answer: B
Rationale: A 5-year-old can use scissors to cut a straight line. Drawing a stick
figure with 2–4 body parts is also expected. Buttoning small buttons is achieved
by 4–5 years.
10. A 14-month-old toddler is brought to the clinic for a well-child visit.
Which finding should the nurse report to the healthcare provider?
A) The toddler cannot walk independently.
B) The toddler says 3–5 words.
C) The toddler cannot build a tower of 3 blocks.
D) The toddler cannot point to one body part.
Answer: A
Rationale: By 14 months, most toddlers are walking independently or with
minimal assistance. Not walking at this age may warrant further assessment.
11. The nurse is teaching parents about Erikson's psychosocial stages.
Which stage is the preschooler (3–5 years) in?
A) Trust vs. mistrust
B) Autonomy vs. shame and doubt
C) Initiative vs. guilt
, D) Industry vs. inferiority
Answer: C
Rationale: Preschoolers are in Erikson's stage of initiative vs. guilt. They
explore, assert themselves, and may feel guilty when they overstep limits.
12. A parent asks when her child should be able to ride a tricycle. The
nurse responds that this skill is typically achieved by age:
A) 2 years
B) 3 years
C) 4 years
D) 5 years
Answer: B
Rationale: Tricycle riding is a gross motor milestone typically achieved by 3
years of age.
13. A 4-week-old infant is brought to the clinic. Which finding should the
nurse report as a possible developmental concern?
A) The infant can lift the head briefly when prone.
B) The infant has a strong Moro reflex.
C) The infant does not respond to loud noises.
D) The infant's hands are frequently clenched.
Answer: C
Rationale: Newborns should startle to loud noises. Lack of response may
indicate hearing impairment and warrants further evaluation.
14. The nurse is assessing a 9-month-old infant. Which milestone should the
nurse expect?
A) Pulling to stand
B) Walking independently
C) Using a pincer grasp
D) Speaking two-word phrases
Answer: A
Rationale: Pulling to stand is typically achieved by 9 months. The pincer grasp
also develops around 9 months. Walking independently occurs at 12–15
months.
15. A mother reports that her 3-year-old has an imaginary friend. What is
the nurse's best response?
A) "This is a sign of a serious emotional problem."
B) "This is normal and indicates healthy imagination and creativity."
C) "You should discourage this behavior."
D) "This may indicate autism spectrum disorder."
VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS||
ALREADY GRADED +|| LATEST UPDATE 2026
Growth and Development
1. The mother of a 15-month-old asks if it's normal that her child is not
walking independently. What is the nurse's best response?
A) "Most walk by 12 months; this is a significant delay."
B) "Some normal children walk as late as 18 months. Let's assess other
milestones."
C) "You should start physical therapy immediately."
D) "This always indicates a neurological problem."
Answer: B
Rationale: Independent walking typically occurs between 12–15 months, with a
normal range up to 18 months. Assessing other milestones first is appropriate.
2. At what age should an infant be able to roll from back to front?
A) 2 months
B) 4–6 months
C) 8 months
D) 10 months
Answer: B
Rationale: Rolling over is typically achieved by 4–6 months.
3. Which statement by a 5-year-old indicates correct understanding of
conservation?
A) "The tall glass has more juice even though you poured it from the short fat
glass."
B) "If you break my cookie in half, I have more pieces."
C) "My sister is older so she is taller."
Answer: A
Rationale: Conservation is the understanding that quantity remains the same
despite changes in shape or arrangement. This is a Piagetian concept typically
,mastered in the concrete operational stage (ages 7–11), but some 5-year-olds
may begin to grasp it.
4. The nurse expects which gross motor skill in a 2.5-year-old?
A) Riding a tricycle
B) Building a tower of 6–7 blocks
C) Tying shoelaces
D) Hopping on one foot
Answer: B
Rationale: By age 2, toddlers can build a tower of 6–7 blocks. Tricycle riding
occurs at 3 years. Tying shoelaces occurs at 5–6 years.
5. A 15-month-old toddler is brought to the clinic. Which finding is of most
concern?
A) The toddler has a vocabulary of 5 words.
B) The toddler walks with a wide base.
C) The toddler cannot hold a spoon to feed himself.
D) The toddler has a head circumference larger than chest.
Answer: C
Rationale: By 15 months, a toddler should be able to hold a spoon with some
spilling. A wide-based gait is normal until about 18 months.
6. Which gross motor behaviors should the nurse assess for when
conducting a health maintenance visit for a 4-year-old client? Select all that
apply.
1. Skating
2. Skipping
3. Jumping rope
4. Catching a ball
5. Hopping on one foot
Answer: 2, 4, 5
Rationale: Skipping, catching a ball, and hopping on one foot are
expected gross motor skills for a 4-year-old. Skating and jumping rope
are typically achieved later.
7. A nurse is assessing a child's developmental milestones. The child can
build a tower of 6 cubes, uses a spoon with some spilling, and walks up
stairs with assistance. What age is this child?
A) 12 months
B) 18 months
,C) 24 months
D) 36 months
Answer: C
Rationale: These milestones are consistent with a 2-year-old (24 months).
8. During a well-baby check, the nurse assesses a 6-month-old infant.
Which developmental milestone should the nurse expect?
A) Sitting independently without support
B) Walking while holding onto furniture
C) Using a neat pincer grasp
D) Rolling from back to abdomen
Answer: D
Rationale: By 6 months, an infant should roll from back to abdomen. Sitting
independently is usually achieved around 8 months, and the pincer grasp
appears around 9 months.
9. The nurse is assessing a 5-year-old child's fine motor skills. Which
behavior is expected?
A) Drawing a stick figure
B) Using scissors to cut a straight line
C) Buttoning small buttons
D) Writing full sentences
Answer: B
Rationale: A 5-year-old can use scissors to cut a straight line. Drawing a stick
figure with 2–4 body parts is also expected. Buttoning small buttons is achieved
by 4–5 years.
10. A 14-month-old toddler is brought to the clinic for a well-child visit.
Which finding should the nurse report to the healthcare provider?
A) The toddler cannot walk independently.
B) The toddler says 3–5 words.
C) The toddler cannot build a tower of 3 blocks.
D) The toddler cannot point to one body part.
Answer: A
Rationale: By 14 months, most toddlers are walking independently or with
minimal assistance. Not walking at this age may warrant further assessment.
11. The nurse is teaching parents about Erikson's psychosocial stages.
Which stage is the preschooler (3–5 years) in?
A) Trust vs. mistrust
B) Autonomy vs. shame and doubt
C) Initiative vs. guilt
, D) Industry vs. inferiority
Answer: C
Rationale: Preschoolers are in Erikson's stage of initiative vs. guilt. They
explore, assert themselves, and may feel guilty when they overstep limits.
12. A parent asks when her child should be able to ride a tricycle. The
nurse responds that this skill is typically achieved by age:
A) 2 years
B) 3 years
C) 4 years
D) 5 years
Answer: B
Rationale: Tricycle riding is a gross motor milestone typically achieved by 3
years of age.
13. A 4-week-old infant is brought to the clinic. Which finding should the
nurse report as a possible developmental concern?
A) The infant can lift the head briefly when prone.
B) The infant has a strong Moro reflex.
C) The infant does not respond to loud noises.
D) The infant's hands are frequently clenched.
Answer: C
Rationale: Newborns should startle to loud noises. Lack of response may
indicate hearing impairment and warrants further evaluation.
14. The nurse is assessing a 9-month-old infant. Which milestone should the
nurse expect?
A) Pulling to stand
B) Walking independently
C) Using a pincer grasp
D) Speaking two-word phrases
Answer: A
Rationale: Pulling to stand is typically achieved by 9 months. The pincer grasp
also develops around 9 months. Walking independently occurs at 12–15
months.
15. A mother reports that her 3-year-old has an imaginary friend. What is
the nurse's best response?
A) "This is a sign of a serious emotional problem."
B) "This is normal and indicates healthy imagination and creativity."
C) "You should discourage this behavior."
D) "This may indicate autism spectrum disorder."
