NUR2811 NURSING CAPSTONE MODULE 1 FINAL EXAM STUDY
GUIDE
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES
Table of Contents
Section Domain Approx. Page
Questions Reference
Section Psychosocial Development 40 1
1 (Erikson's Theory)
Section Infant Growth, Development, 50 6
2 and Nutrition
Section Toddler Growth, 40 13
3 Development, and Nutrition
Section Preschooler Growth, 30 18
4 Development, and Nutrition
Section Health Promotion, Safety, and 40 23
5 Family Dynamics
Section 1: Psychosocial Development (Erikson's Theory)
1. A nurse is providing information to a group of pregnant clients and
their partners about the psychosocial development of an infant. Using
Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, what should the nurse
tell the group about the infants?
A. Infants rely on the fact that their needs will be met.
B. Infants need to tolerate a great deal of frustration and discomfort to
,develop a healthy personality.
C. Infants must ignore needs for short periods to develop a healthy
personality.
D. Infants need to experience frustration to allow them to cry for a
while before meeting their needs.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: According to Erikson, infants struggle to establish a sense of
basic trust rather than a sense of basic mistrust in their world,
caregivers, and themselves. If provided with consistent satisfying
experiences that are delivered in a timely manner, infants come to rely
on the fact that their needs are met and, in turn, will be able to tolerate
some degree of frustration and discomfort until those needs are met.
This sense of confidence is an early form of trust and provides the
foundation for a healthy personality. The other options are incorrect
because they focus on frustration rather than consistent, timely care.
2. A nurse is assessing a 9-month-old infant during a well-child visit.
According to Erikson, which behavior indicates the infant is
successfully resolving the developmental task of this stage?
A. The infant cries immediately when the mother leaves the room.
B. The infant smiles and reaches for the nurse when the nurse
approaches.
C. The infant refuses to eat solid foods introduced by the parent.
D. The infant sleeps through the night without waking.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The developmental task of infancy is trust vs. mistrust. An
infant who smiles and reaches for a friendly stranger (while still showing
preference for caregivers) demonstrates a sense of trust and secure
attachment. Crying when the mother leaves is a normal separation
,anxiety response, not necessarily an indicator of successful resolution of
trust vs. mistrust. Refusing solids and sleeping through the night are
related to physical/physiological development, not specifically
psychosocial trust.
3. A nurse is caring for a 2-year-old toddler. According to Erikson's
theory, which behavior would the nurse expect to observe as the
toddler attempts to master the developmental task of this stage?
A. The toddler shares toys willingly with a sibling.
B. The toddler insists on wearing a specific pair of shoes every day.
C. The toddler follows complex multi-step instructions from the parent.
D. The toddler expresses guilt when breaking a household rule.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The developmental task for the toddler is autonomy vs.
shame and doubt. Toddlers strive for independence and control over
their environment. Insisting on wearing specific shoes is a classic
example of a toddler asserting their autonomy and making choices.
Sharing willingly (A) is more characteristic of preschoolers (initiative vs.
guilt). Following complex instructions (C) and expressing guilt (D) are
higher-level cognitive and psychosocial milestones.
4. A nurse is evaluating a 4-year-old child in a preschool setting. The
child is engaged in a game of "house" with other children, assigning
roles and creating a storyline. According to Erikson, this behavior
demonstrates resolution of which psychosocial stage?
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
C. Initiative vs. Guilt
D. Industry vs. Inferiority
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: The preschooler (3 to 6 years) is in the Initiative vs. Guilt
stage. During this stage, children begin to assert their power and
control over the world through directing play and other social
interactions. Engaging in imaginative, cooperative play and taking on
roles demonstrates initiative. Trust vs. Mistrust is infancy, Autonomy vs.
Shame is toddlerhood, and Industry vs. Inferiority is school-age.
5. A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to the parents of a 6-
month-old infant. To promote a sense of trust, which instruction
should the nurse include?
A. Allow the infant to cry it out for at least 20 minutes before
responding.
B. Respond consistently and promptly to the infant's cries for hunger or
comfort.
C. Introduce strict feeding and sleeping schedules immediately.
D. Encourage the infant to self-soothe by leaving them alone in the crib
frequently.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Erikson's Trust vs. Mistrust stage emphasizes the importance
of consistent, predictable, and responsive caregiving. Promptly
responding to an infant's needs teaches the infant that the world is safe
and their needs will be met, fostering trust. Letting the infant cry for
prolonged periods, enforcing strict schedules without flexibility, or
leaving them alone frequently can foster mistrust and insecurity.
6. A nurse is assessing a 3-year-old child who is hospitalized for a
minor surgery. The child refuses to take medication and screams when
the nurse approaches. The parent is embarrassed and asks the nurse
what to do. Based on Erikson's theory, what is the most appropriate
nursing intervention?
GUIDE
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES
Table of Contents
Section Domain Approx. Page
Questions Reference
Section Psychosocial Development 40 1
1 (Erikson's Theory)
Section Infant Growth, Development, 50 6
2 and Nutrition
Section Toddler Growth, 40 13
3 Development, and Nutrition
Section Preschooler Growth, 30 18
4 Development, and Nutrition
Section Health Promotion, Safety, and 40 23
5 Family Dynamics
Section 1: Psychosocial Development (Erikson's Theory)
1. A nurse is providing information to a group of pregnant clients and
their partners about the psychosocial development of an infant. Using
Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, what should the nurse
tell the group about the infants?
A. Infants rely on the fact that their needs will be met.
B. Infants need to tolerate a great deal of frustration and discomfort to
,develop a healthy personality.
C. Infants must ignore needs for short periods to develop a healthy
personality.
D. Infants need to experience frustration to allow them to cry for a
while before meeting their needs.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: According to Erikson, infants struggle to establish a sense of
basic trust rather than a sense of basic mistrust in their world,
caregivers, and themselves. If provided with consistent satisfying
experiences that are delivered in a timely manner, infants come to rely
on the fact that their needs are met and, in turn, will be able to tolerate
some degree of frustration and discomfort until those needs are met.
This sense of confidence is an early form of trust and provides the
foundation for a healthy personality. The other options are incorrect
because they focus on frustration rather than consistent, timely care.
2. A nurse is assessing a 9-month-old infant during a well-child visit.
According to Erikson, which behavior indicates the infant is
successfully resolving the developmental task of this stage?
A. The infant cries immediately when the mother leaves the room.
B. The infant smiles and reaches for the nurse when the nurse
approaches.
C. The infant refuses to eat solid foods introduced by the parent.
D. The infant sleeps through the night without waking.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The developmental task of infancy is trust vs. mistrust. An
infant who smiles and reaches for a friendly stranger (while still showing
preference for caregivers) demonstrates a sense of trust and secure
attachment. Crying when the mother leaves is a normal separation
,anxiety response, not necessarily an indicator of successful resolution of
trust vs. mistrust. Refusing solids and sleeping through the night are
related to physical/physiological development, not specifically
psychosocial trust.
3. A nurse is caring for a 2-year-old toddler. According to Erikson's
theory, which behavior would the nurse expect to observe as the
toddler attempts to master the developmental task of this stage?
A. The toddler shares toys willingly with a sibling.
B. The toddler insists on wearing a specific pair of shoes every day.
C. The toddler follows complex multi-step instructions from the parent.
D. The toddler expresses guilt when breaking a household rule.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The developmental task for the toddler is autonomy vs.
shame and doubt. Toddlers strive for independence and control over
their environment. Insisting on wearing specific shoes is a classic
example of a toddler asserting their autonomy and making choices.
Sharing willingly (A) is more characteristic of preschoolers (initiative vs.
guilt). Following complex instructions (C) and expressing guilt (D) are
higher-level cognitive and psychosocial milestones.
4. A nurse is evaluating a 4-year-old child in a preschool setting. The
child is engaged in a game of "house" with other children, assigning
roles and creating a storyline. According to Erikson, this behavior
demonstrates resolution of which psychosocial stage?
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
C. Initiative vs. Guilt
D. Industry vs. Inferiority
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: The preschooler (3 to 6 years) is in the Initiative vs. Guilt
stage. During this stage, children begin to assert their power and
control over the world through directing play and other social
interactions. Engaging in imaginative, cooperative play and taking on
roles demonstrates initiative. Trust vs. Mistrust is infancy, Autonomy vs.
Shame is toddlerhood, and Industry vs. Inferiority is school-age.
5. A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to the parents of a 6-
month-old infant. To promote a sense of trust, which instruction
should the nurse include?
A. Allow the infant to cry it out for at least 20 minutes before
responding.
B. Respond consistently and promptly to the infant's cries for hunger or
comfort.
C. Introduce strict feeding and sleeping schedules immediately.
D. Encourage the infant to self-soothe by leaving them alone in the crib
frequently.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Erikson's Trust vs. Mistrust stage emphasizes the importance
of consistent, predictable, and responsive caregiving. Promptly
responding to an infant's needs teaches the infant that the world is safe
and their needs will be met, fostering trust. Letting the infant cry for
prolonged periods, enforcing strict schedules without flexibility, or
leaving them alone frequently can foster mistrust and insecurity.
6. A nurse is assessing a 3-year-old child who is hospitalized for a
minor surgery. The child refuses to take medication and screams when
the nurse approaches. The parent is embarrassed and asks the nurse
what to do. Based on Erikson's theory, what is the most appropriate
nursing intervention?
