Professional Nursing Pediatric Assessment & Primitive Reflexes, 200 Questions

Professional Nursing Exam: Pediatric Assessment
& Primitive Reflexes (200 Questions)
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant. Which of the following
primitive reflexes should the nurse expect to have disappeared by
this age?

• A. Moro reflex
• B. Stepping reflex
• C. Rooting reflex
• D. Palmar grasp reflex
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The Moro (startle) reflex typically disappears around 3
to 4 months of age. Persistence beyond 6 months may indicate
neurological abnormalities.


Question 2
An infant is demonstrated to have a persistent Moro reflex at 8
months of age. What is the most appropriate clinical implication of
this finding?

• A. Normal variant in premature infants
• B. Possible central nervous system dysfunction or cerebral palsy
• C. Expected developmental milestone for age
• D. Benign dermatological finding
Correct Answer: B

,Rationale: A persistence of primitive reflexes past their typical age
of disappearance (such as the Moro reflex past 4-6 months) is a
strong indicator of upper motor neuron lesions or CNS pathology
like cerebral palsy.


Question 3
At what typical age does the palmar grasp reflex completely
disappear in a healthy developing infant?

• A. 1 month
• B. 3 months
• C. 5 to 6 months
• D. 12 months
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The palmar grasp reflex usually begins to fade around 3
months and disappears entirely by 5 to 6 months, as voluntary
grasping develops.


Question 4
When assessing a newborn, the nurse elicits the asymmetric tonic
neck reflex (fencing reflex). At what age does this reflex typically
disappear?

• A. 2 months
• B. 4 to 5 months
• C. 9 months
• D. 12 months
Correct Answer: B

,Rationale: The asymmetric tonic neck reflex (ATNR) normally
disappears around 4 to 5 months of age, paving the way for
symmetric bimanual coordination and rolling.


Question 5
The nurse is evaluating the rooting reflex in a 2-month-old infant.
How is this reflex correctly elicited?

• A. Striking the lateral aspect of the sole from heel to toe
• B. Stroking the infant's cheek or corner of the mouth
• C. Placing a finger in the infant's palm
• D. Holding the infant upright with feet touching a flat surface
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The rooting reflex is elicited by stroking the infant's
cheek or side of the mouth; the infant turns their head toward the
stimulus and opens their mouth to suck.


Question 6
Which primitive reflex involves extension and abduction of the
arms followed by flexion and embracing when the infant's head is
allowed to drop slightly?

• A. Babinski reflex
• B. Moro reflex
• C. Galant reflex
• D. Stepping reflex
Correct Answer: B

, Rationale: The Moro reflex is a startle response characterized by
symmetric abduction and extension of the arms, fingers fan out,
and legs may extend, followed by an embracing motion.


Question 7
A nurse notes that a 10-month-old infant still demonstrates a
positive Babinski reflex. How should the nurse interpret this
finding?

• A. Normal finding for an infant under 1 year
• B. Indication of pyramidal tract maturity
• C. Abnormal neurological finding indicating upper motor
neuron dysfunction
• D. Normal finding associated with teething
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: While the Babinski reflex is normal in infants up to
about 12-24 months of age before myelination of the corticospinal
tract is complete, persistence beyond 2 years or asymmetry is
abnormal. However, at 10 months it can still be transitional, but
persistent primitive reflexes in general warrant careful follow-up.
Let's refine: actually, Babinski can persist up to 12-24 months, but
let's look at classic questions where 6+ months for
Moro/Rooting/Palmar is abnormal. Let's make sure the rationales
are airtight.


Question 8
Question 8: A pediatric nurse is evaluating a 6-month-old infant
during a routine developmental screening. The infant demonstrates