PEDIATRICS EXAM
Practice Questions and
Answers
Situation 1: Raphael, a 6 year's old prep
pupil is seen at the school clinic for growth
and development monitoring
1. Which of the following is characterized the rate of growth
during this period?
A. most rapid period of growth
B. a decline in growth rate
C. growth spurt
D. slow uniform growth rate
Answer: B. a decline in growth rate.
Rationale: During the Preschooler stage growth is very
minimal. Weight gain is only 4.5 lbs (2 kgs) per year and
Height is 3.5 in (6-8 cm) per year.
Review:
Most rapid growth and development – Infancy
Slow growth – Toddlerhood and Preschooler
Slower growth – School age
Rapid growth – Adolescence
1
,2. In assessing Raphael's growth and development, the
nurse is guided by principles of growth and development.
Which is not included?
A. All individuals follow cephalo-caudal and proximo-distal
B. Different parts of the body grows at different rate
C. All individual follow standard growth rate
D. Rate and pattern of growth can be modified
Answer: D. Rate and pattern of growth can be modified.
Rationale: Growth and development occurs in cephalo-
caudal meaning development occurs throughout the body's
axis. Example: the child must be able to lift the head before
he is able to lift his chest. Proximo-distal is development
that progresses from center of the body to the extremities.
Example: a child first develops arm movement before fine-
finger movement. Different parts of the body grows at
different range because some body tissue mature faster
than the other such as the neurologic tissues peaks its
growth during the first years of life while the genital tissue
doesn't till puberty. Also G&D is predictable in the sequence
which a child normally precedes such as motor skills and
behavior. Lastly G&D can never be modified.
3. What type of play will be ideal for Raphael at this period?
A. Make believe
B. Hide and seek
C. Peek-a-boo
D. Building blocks
Answer: A. Make believe.
Rationale: Make believe is most appropriate because it
enhances the imitative play and imagination of the
preschooler. C and D are for infants while letter B is
recommended for schoolers because it enhances
competitive play.
4. Which of the following information indicate that Raphael
is normal for his age?
A. Determine own sense self
B. Develop sense of whether he can trust the world
2
,C. Has the ability to try new things
D. Learn basic skills within his culture
Answer: C. Has the ability to try new things.
Rationale: Erickson defines the developmental task of a
preschool period is learning Initiative vs. Guilt. Children can
initiate motor activities of various sorts on their own and no
longer responds to or imitate the actions of other children or
of their parents.
5. Based on Kohlberg's theory, what is the stage of moral
development of Raphael?
A. Punishment-obedience
B. "good boy-Nice girl"
C. naive instrumental orientation
D. social contact
Answer: C. naive instrumental orientation.
Rationale: According to Kohlberg, a preschooler is under
Preconventional where a child learns about instrumental
purpose and exchange, that is they will something do for
another if that person does something with the child in
return. Letter A is applicable for Toddlers and letter B is for
a School age child.
Situation 2: Baby boy Lacson delivered at
36 weeks gestation weighs 3,400 gm and
height of 59 cm
6. Baby boy Lacson's height is
A. Long
B. Short
C. Average
D. Too short
Answer: A. Long.
Rationale: The average length of fullterm babies at birth is
20 in. (51 cm), although the normal range is 46 cm (18 in.)
to 56 cm (22 in.).
3
, 7. Growth and development in a child progresses in the
following ways EXCEPT
A. From cognitive to psychosexual
B. From trunk to the tip of the extremities
C. From head to toe
D. From general to specific
Answer: A. From cognitive to psychosexual.
Rationale: Growth and development occurs in cephalo-
caudal (head to toe), proximo-distal (trunk to tips of the
extremities) and general to specific, but it doesn't occurs in
cognitive to psychosexual because they can develop at the
same time.
8. As described by Erikson, the major psychosexual conflict
of the above situation is
A. Autonomy vs. Shame and doubt
B. Industry vs. Inferiority
C. Trust vs. mistrust
D. Initiation vs. guilt
Answer: C. Trust vs. mistrust.
Rationale: According to Erikson, children 0-18 months are
under the developmental task of Trust vs. Mistrust.
9. Which of the following is true about Mongolian Spots?
A. Disappears in about a year
B. Are linked to pathologic conditions
C. Are managed by tropical steroids
D. Are indicative of parental abuse
Answer: A. Disappears in about a year.
Rationale: Mongolian spots are slate grey or bluish patches
of discoloration commonly seen across the sacrum or
buttocks due to accumulation of melanocytes and they
disappear in 1 year. They are not linked to steroid use and
pathologic conditions.
4
Practice Questions and
Answers
Situation 1: Raphael, a 6 year's old prep
pupil is seen at the school clinic for growth
and development monitoring
1. Which of the following is characterized the rate of growth
during this period?
A. most rapid period of growth
B. a decline in growth rate
C. growth spurt
D. slow uniform growth rate
Answer: B. a decline in growth rate.
Rationale: During the Preschooler stage growth is very
minimal. Weight gain is only 4.5 lbs (2 kgs) per year and
Height is 3.5 in (6-8 cm) per year.
Review:
Most rapid growth and development – Infancy
Slow growth – Toddlerhood and Preschooler
Slower growth – School age
Rapid growth – Adolescence
1
,2. In assessing Raphael's growth and development, the
nurse is guided by principles of growth and development.
Which is not included?
A. All individuals follow cephalo-caudal and proximo-distal
B. Different parts of the body grows at different rate
C. All individual follow standard growth rate
D. Rate and pattern of growth can be modified
Answer: D. Rate and pattern of growth can be modified.
Rationale: Growth and development occurs in cephalo-
caudal meaning development occurs throughout the body's
axis. Example: the child must be able to lift the head before
he is able to lift his chest. Proximo-distal is development
that progresses from center of the body to the extremities.
Example: a child first develops arm movement before fine-
finger movement. Different parts of the body grows at
different range because some body tissue mature faster
than the other such as the neurologic tissues peaks its
growth during the first years of life while the genital tissue
doesn't till puberty. Also G&D is predictable in the sequence
which a child normally precedes such as motor skills and
behavior. Lastly G&D can never be modified.
3. What type of play will be ideal for Raphael at this period?
A. Make believe
B. Hide and seek
C. Peek-a-boo
D. Building blocks
Answer: A. Make believe.
Rationale: Make believe is most appropriate because it
enhances the imitative play and imagination of the
preschooler. C and D are for infants while letter B is
recommended for schoolers because it enhances
competitive play.
4. Which of the following information indicate that Raphael
is normal for his age?
A. Determine own sense self
B. Develop sense of whether he can trust the world
2
,C. Has the ability to try new things
D. Learn basic skills within his culture
Answer: C. Has the ability to try new things.
Rationale: Erickson defines the developmental task of a
preschool period is learning Initiative vs. Guilt. Children can
initiate motor activities of various sorts on their own and no
longer responds to or imitate the actions of other children or
of their parents.
5. Based on Kohlberg's theory, what is the stage of moral
development of Raphael?
A. Punishment-obedience
B. "good boy-Nice girl"
C. naive instrumental orientation
D. social contact
Answer: C. naive instrumental orientation.
Rationale: According to Kohlberg, a preschooler is under
Preconventional where a child learns about instrumental
purpose and exchange, that is they will something do for
another if that person does something with the child in
return. Letter A is applicable for Toddlers and letter B is for
a School age child.
Situation 2: Baby boy Lacson delivered at
36 weeks gestation weighs 3,400 gm and
height of 59 cm
6. Baby boy Lacson's height is
A. Long
B. Short
C. Average
D. Too short
Answer: A. Long.
Rationale: The average length of fullterm babies at birth is
20 in. (51 cm), although the normal range is 46 cm (18 in.)
to 56 cm (22 in.).
3
, 7. Growth and development in a child progresses in the
following ways EXCEPT
A. From cognitive to psychosexual
B. From trunk to the tip of the extremities
C. From head to toe
D. From general to specific
Answer: A. From cognitive to psychosexual.
Rationale: Growth and development occurs in cephalo-
caudal (head to toe), proximo-distal (trunk to tips of the
extremities) and general to specific, but it doesn't occurs in
cognitive to psychosexual because they can develop at the
same time.
8. As described by Erikson, the major psychosexual conflict
of the above situation is
A. Autonomy vs. Shame and doubt
B. Industry vs. Inferiority
C. Trust vs. mistrust
D. Initiation vs. guilt
Answer: C. Trust vs. mistrust.
Rationale: According to Erikson, children 0-18 months are
under the developmental task of Trust vs. Mistrust.
9. Which of the following is true about Mongolian Spots?
A. Disappears in about a year
B. Are linked to pathologic conditions
C. Are managed by tropical steroids
D. Are indicative of parental abuse
Answer: A. Disappears in about a year.
Rationale: Mongolian spots are slate grey or bluish patches
of discoloration commonly seen across the sacrum or
buttocks due to accumulation of melanocytes and they
disappear in 1 year. They are not linked to steroid use and
pathologic conditions.
4
