Galen College of Nursing | Maternal-Child Nursing (NU 170) — Exam 1
GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING
NUR 170: MATERNAL-CHILD NURSING
EXAM 1
Academic Years 2026–2027
Student Name: ___________________________ Date: _______________ Score: ______ / 50
Question 1. A pediatric nurse is caring for a 2-year-old toddler who was recently admitted to
the pediatric unit. The parents express concern that their previously potty-trained child has
started bedwetting again. How should the nurse explain this behavior to the parents?
[A] The child is demonstrating developmental regression, which is a common response to the stress
of hospitalization. ✓ [CORRECT ANSWER]
[B] The bedwetting indicates a permanent loss of previously achieved developmental milestones.
[C] The parents should reprimand the child for misbehavior to reinstate proper toilet habits
immediately.
[D] The bedwetting is an early clinical manifestation of severe central nervous system pathology.
Clinical Rationale: Regression is defined as the loss of an achieved level of functioning to a past level of
behavior that was successful during earlier stages of development (such as bedwetting in a potty-trained
child). It is a normal reaction to the anxiety and stress of hospitalization. Praise and positive
reinforcement motivate the re-achievement of appropriate behavior.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Question 2. When collecting vital signs on a 3-year-old child admitted to the pediatric medical
unit, which technique should the nurse utilize to obtain an accurate pulse rate?
[A] Palpate the radial pulse for 15 seconds and multiply the result by 4.
[B] Assess the carotid pulse for 30 seconds while the child is crying.
[C] Auscultate the apical pulse for 1 full minute. ✓ [CORRECT ANSWER]
[D] Rely solely on an automated pulse oximeter reading without physical palpation or auscultation.
Clinical Rationale: In pediatric data collection, an apical pulse should be counted for 1 full minute for
children up to 5 years of age. Beyond 5 years of age, radial pulse assessment may be routinely used.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Question 3. A 4-year-old child is scheduled for a minor surgical procedure. When preparing
the child psychologically, which developmental intervention is most appropriate for the
preschool age group?
[A] Provide detailed, abstract scientific explanations of all surgical equipment and physiological steps.
[B] Use simple, concrete, nonthreatening words and give the child clear, truthful explanations. ✓
[CORRECT ANSWER]
[C] Discourage the child from asking questions or expressing fears prior to entering the operating
room.
[D] Instruct the child to remain completely passive without examining any medical instruments.
Clinical Rationale: Preschoolers (3 to 6 years) are concrete thinkers who may fear bodily harm and
fantasize about the unknown. The nurse should use nonthreatening words, clear and truthful
explanations, and simple directions to relieve anxiety.
Page 1
, Galen College of Nursing | Maternal-Child Nursing (NU 170) — Exam 1
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Question 4. According to Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development, which core
developmental task must an infant (birth to 1 year) master to achieve optimum maturity?
[A] Autonomy vs. shame and doubt
[B] Initiative vs. guilt
[C] Industry vs. inferiority
[D] Trust vs. mistrust ✓ [CORRECT ANSWER]
Clinical Rationale: According to Erikson, the central developmental task for an infant is Trust vs.
Mistrust, which centers on having basic physical and emotional needs met consistently by primary
caregivers.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Question 5. A nurse is caring for a 10-month-old infant admitted with acute respiratory
distress. The physician orders the infant to be placed on NPO (nothing by mouth) status.
Which developmental nursing intervention should be implemented to support the infant?
[A] Provide a pacifier to assist in meeting the infant's developmental need for non-nutritive sucking.
✓ [CORRECT ANSWER]
[B] Administer heavy oral sedation every 2 hours to prevent crying.
[C] Restrain both arms securely to prevent hand-to-mouth movements.
[D] Offer sweet fruit juices in small sips every 30 minutes despite the order.
Clinical Rationale: Infants placed on NPO status should not be maintained NPO longer than 4 to 6
hours when possible, and a pacifier should be provided to meet their essential developmental need for
sucking.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Question 6. The nurse is reviewing assessment findings for a 7-year-old child admitted for
observation following a closed head injury. Which finding represents an early sign of
increased intracranial pressure (ICP) in a child?
[A] Significant decrease in level of consciousness and marked bradycardia
[B] High-pitched cry and bulging anterior fontanel
[C] Headache, nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances such as diplopia ✓ [CORRECT ANSWER]
[D] Decerebrate posturing and Cheyne-Stokes respirations
Clinical Rationale: Early signs of increased ICP in a child include headache, nausea, vomiting, visual
disturbances (diplopia), and seizures. High-pitched cry and bulging fontanels occur in infants whose
cranial sutures are open, while decerebrate posturing and bradycardia are late, severe signs.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Page 2
, Galen College of Nursing | Maternal-Child Nursing (NU 170) — Exam 1
Question 7. A 4-year-old child arrives at the emergency department with suspected acute
epiglottitis. Which physical position should the nurse anticipate the child assuming?
[A] Supine with the head flat on the exam table
[B] Tripod position, sitting up and leaning forward with chin thrust out and mouth open ✓ [CORRECT
ANSWER]
[C] Side-lying position with knees pulled tightly to the chest
[D] Trendelenburg position to improve cerebral perfusion
Clinical Rationale: Children with acute epiglottitis naturally assume a tripod position—sitting upright,
leaning forward supported by hands, with the chin thrust out and mouth open—to maintain an open
airway. The nurse must avoid placing the child in a supine position.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Question 8. The nurse is providing discharge instructions to parents regarding home safety
and sleep practices for their newborn infant. Which instruction is essential to prevent Sudden
Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)?
[A] Place the infant on their stomach (prone) for all naps and bedtime sleep.
[B] Fill the crib with soft plush blankets, pillows, and decorative crib bumpers.
[C] Allow the infant to sleep in the parents' bed as long as heavy quilts are removed.
[D] Ensure no co-sleeping occurs and lay the infant on their back (supine) without loose blankets in
the crib. ✓ [CORRECT ANSWER]
Clinical Rationale: Essential infant safety guidelines specify no co-sleeping, placing the infant on their
back (supine) for sleep, avoiding loose blankets or soft objects in the crib, and verifying identification
bands.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Question 9. A non-English-speaking family arrives at the clinic with their ill 3-year-old child.
How should the nurse facilitate effective healthcare communication with the parents?
[A] Obtain a professional healthcare language interpreter provided free of charge by federal law. ✓
[CORRECT ANSWER]
[B] Ask the child’s 10-year-old sibling to interpret the medical discussion.
[C] Rely solely on informal body language without obtaining a translator.
[D] Instruct the parents to return home until they can bring an adult relative who speaks fluent
English.
Clinical Rationale: Federal law mandates that healthcare providers supply language interpreters at no
charge. Family members should NOT be used as interpreters to avoid critical information being lost in
translation.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Page 3
GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING
NUR 170: MATERNAL-CHILD NURSING
EXAM 1
Academic Years 2026–2027
Student Name: ___________________________ Date: _______________ Score: ______ / 50
Question 1. A pediatric nurse is caring for a 2-year-old toddler who was recently admitted to
the pediatric unit. The parents express concern that their previously potty-trained child has
started bedwetting again. How should the nurse explain this behavior to the parents?
[A] The child is demonstrating developmental regression, which is a common response to the stress
of hospitalization. ✓ [CORRECT ANSWER]
[B] The bedwetting indicates a permanent loss of previously achieved developmental milestones.
[C] The parents should reprimand the child for misbehavior to reinstate proper toilet habits
immediately.
[D] The bedwetting is an early clinical manifestation of severe central nervous system pathology.
Clinical Rationale: Regression is defined as the loss of an achieved level of functioning to a past level of
behavior that was successful during earlier stages of development (such as bedwetting in a potty-trained
child). It is a normal reaction to the anxiety and stress of hospitalization. Praise and positive
reinforcement motivate the re-achievement of appropriate behavior.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Question 2. When collecting vital signs on a 3-year-old child admitted to the pediatric medical
unit, which technique should the nurse utilize to obtain an accurate pulse rate?
[A] Palpate the radial pulse for 15 seconds and multiply the result by 4.
[B] Assess the carotid pulse for 30 seconds while the child is crying.
[C] Auscultate the apical pulse for 1 full minute. ✓ [CORRECT ANSWER]
[D] Rely solely on an automated pulse oximeter reading without physical palpation or auscultation.
Clinical Rationale: In pediatric data collection, an apical pulse should be counted for 1 full minute for
children up to 5 years of age. Beyond 5 years of age, radial pulse assessment may be routinely used.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Question 3. A 4-year-old child is scheduled for a minor surgical procedure. When preparing
the child psychologically, which developmental intervention is most appropriate for the
preschool age group?
[A] Provide detailed, abstract scientific explanations of all surgical equipment and physiological steps.
[B] Use simple, concrete, nonthreatening words and give the child clear, truthful explanations. ✓
[CORRECT ANSWER]
[C] Discourage the child from asking questions or expressing fears prior to entering the operating
room.
[D] Instruct the child to remain completely passive without examining any medical instruments.
Clinical Rationale: Preschoolers (3 to 6 years) are concrete thinkers who may fear bodily harm and
fantasize about the unknown. The nurse should use nonthreatening words, clear and truthful
explanations, and simple directions to relieve anxiety.
Page 1
, Galen College of Nursing | Maternal-Child Nursing (NU 170) — Exam 1
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Question 4. According to Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development, which core
developmental task must an infant (birth to 1 year) master to achieve optimum maturity?
[A] Autonomy vs. shame and doubt
[B] Initiative vs. guilt
[C] Industry vs. inferiority
[D] Trust vs. mistrust ✓ [CORRECT ANSWER]
Clinical Rationale: According to Erikson, the central developmental task for an infant is Trust vs.
Mistrust, which centers on having basic physical and emotional needs met consistently by primary
caregivers.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Question 5. A nurse is caring for a 10-month-old infant admitted with acute respiratory
distress. The physician orders the infant to be placed on NPO (nothing by mouth) status.
Which developmental nursing intervention should be implemented to support the infant?
[A] Provide a pacifier to assist in meeting the infant's developmental need for non-nutritive sucking.
✓ [CORRECT ANSWER]
[B] Administer heavy oral sedation every 2 hours to prevent crying.
[C] Restrain both arms securely to prevent hand-to-mouth movements.
[D] Offer sweet fruit juices in small sips every 30 minutes despite the order.
Clinical Rationale: Infants placed on NPO status should not be maintained NPO longer than 4 to 6
hours when possible, and a pacifier should be provided to meet their essential developmental need for
sucking.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Question 6. The nurse is reviewing assessment findings for a 7-year-old child admitted for
observation following a closed head injury. Which finding represents an early sign of
increased intracranial pressure (ICP) in a child?
[A] Significant decrease in level of consciousness and marked bradycardia
[B] High-pitched cry and bulging anterior fontanel
[C] Headache, nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances such as diplopia ✓ [CORRECT ANSWER]
[D] Decerebrate posturing and Cheyne-Stokes respirations
Clinical Rationale: Early signs of increased ICP in a child include headache, nausea, vomiting, visual
disturbances (diplopia), and seizures. High-pitched cry and bulging fontanels occur in infants whose
cranial sutures are open, while decerebrate posturing and bradycardia are late, severe signs.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Page 2
, Galen College of Nursing | Maternal-Child Nursing (NU 170) — Exam 1
Question 7. A 4-year-old child arrives at the emergency department with suspected acute
epiglottitis. Which physical position should the nurse anticipate the child assuming?
[A] Supine with the head flat on the exam table
[B] Tripod position, sitting up and leaning forward with chin thrust out and mouth open ✓ [CORRECT
ANSWER]
[C] Side-lying position with knees pulled tightly to the chest
[D] Trendelenburg position to improve cerebral perfusion
Clinical Rationale: Children with acute epiglottitis naturally assume a tripod position—sitting upright,
leaning forward supported by hands, with the chin thrust out and mouth open—to maintain an open
airway. The nurse must avoid placing the child in a supine position.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Question 8. The nurse is providing discharge instructions to parents regarding home safety
and sleep practices for their newborn infant. Which instruction is essential to prevent Sudden
Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)?
[A] Place the infant on their stomach (prone) for all naps and bedtime sleep.
[B] Fill the crib with soft plush blankets, pillows, and decorative crib bumpers.
[C] Allow the infant to sleep in the parents' bed as long as heavy quilts are removed.
[D] Ensure no co-sleeping occurs and lay the infant on their back (supine) without loose blankets in
the crib. ✓ [CORRECT ANSWER]
Clinical Rationale: Essential infant safety guidelines specify no co-sleeping, placing the infant on their
back (supine) for sleep, avoiding loose blankets or soft objects in the crib, and verifying identification
bands.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Question 9. A non-English-speaking family arrives at the clinic with their ill 3-year-old child.
How should the nurse facilitate effective healthcare communication with the parents?
[A] Obtain a professional healthcare language interpreter provided free of charge by federal law. ✓
[CORRECT ANSWER]
[B] Ask the child’s 10-year-old sibling to interpret the medical discussion.
[C] Rely solely on informal body language without obtaining a translator.
[D] Instruct the parents to return home until they can bring an adult relative who speaks fluent
English.
Clinical Rationale: Federal law mandates that healthcare providers supply language interpreters at no
charge. Family members should NOT be used as interpreters to avoid critical information being lost in
translation.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Page 3
