GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT (Pediatrics)
NCLEX EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
COMPLETE AND ACCURATE.
The parents of a 2-year-old tell the nurse that they are concerned because the
toddler has started to use "baby talk" since the arrival of their new baby. The
nurse should recommend that the parents:
a. Ignore the "baby talk."
b. Explain to the toddler that "baby talk" is for
babies.
c. Tell the toddler frequently, "You are a big
kid now."
d. Encourage the toddler to practice more
advanced patterns of speech.
ANS: A
The baby talk is a sign of regression in the toddler. It should be ignored, while praising
the child for developmentally appropriate behaviors. Regression is children's way of
saying that they are expressing stress. The parents should not introduce new
expectations and should allow the child to master the developmental tasks without
criticism.
What would the nurse expect of a healthy 3-year-old child?
a. Jump rope
b. Ride a two-wheel bicycle
c. Skip on alternate feet
d. Balance on one foot for a few seconds
ANS: D
3-year-olds are able to accomplish the gross motor skill of balancing on one foot.
,Jumping rope, riding a two-wheel bike, and skipping on alternative feet are gross
motor skills of 5-year-old children
In terms of cognitive development the 5-year-old child would be expected to:
a. Use magical thinking.
b. Think abstractly.
c. Understand conservation of matter.
d. Be unable to comprehend another person's perspective.
ANS: A
Magical thinking is believing that thoughts can cause events. Abstract thought does
not develop until school-age years. The concept of conservation is the cognitive task
of school-age children ages 5 to 7 years. Five-year-olds cannot understand another's
perspective.
A 4-year-old boy is hospitalized with a serious bacterial infection. He tells the
nurse that he is sick because he was "bad." The nurse's best interpretation of this
comment is that it is:
a. A sign of stress.
b. Common at this age.
c. Suggestive of maladaptation.
d. Suggestive of excessive discipline at home.
ANS: B
Preschoolers cannot understand the cause and effect of illness. Their egocentrism
makes them think that they are directly responsible for events, making them feel guilt
for things outside of their control. Children of this age show stress by regressing
developmentally or acting out. Maladaptation is unlikely. This comment does not
imply excessive discipline at home.
Which type of play is most typical of the preschool period?
, a. Solitary c. Associative
b. Parallel d. Team
ANS: C
Associative play is group play in similar or identical activities but without rigid
organization or rules. Solitary play is that of infants. Parallel play is that of toddlers.
School-age children play in teams.
The parent of a 4-year-old son tells the nurse that the child believes "monsters
and boogeyman" are in his bedroom at night. The nurse's best suggestion for
coping with this problem is to:
a. Insist that the child sleep with his parents
until the fearful phase passes.
b. Suggest involving the child to find a
practical solution such as a night light.
c. Help the child understand that these fears
are illogical.
d. Tell the child frequently that monsters and
boogeyman do not exist.
ANS: B
A night light shows a child that imaginary creatures do not lurk in the darkness.
Letting the child sleep with parents will not get rid of the fears. A 4-year-old is in the
preconceptual age and cannot understand logical thought.
Which statement accurately describes physical development during the school-
age years?
a. The child's weight almost triples.
b. A child grows an average of 2 inches per
year.
c. Few physical differences are apparent
among children at the end of middle
childhood.
NCLEX EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
COMPLETE AND ACCURATE.
The parents of a 2-year-old tell the nurse that they are concerned because the
toddler has started to use "baby talk" since the arrival of their new baby. The
nurse should recommend that the parents:
a. Ignore the "baby talk."
b. Explain to the toddler that "baby talk" is for
babies.
c. Tell the toddler frequently, "You are a big
kid now."
d. Encourage the toddler to practice more
advanced patterns of speech.
ANS: A
The baby talk is a sign of regression in the toddler. It should be ignored, while praising
the child for developmentally appropriate behaviors. Regression is children's way of
saying that they are expressing stress. The parents should not introduce new
expectations and should allow the child to master the developmental tasks without
criticism.
What would the nurse expect of a healthy 3-year-old child?
a. Jump rope
b. Ride a two-wheel bicycle
c. Skip on alternate feet
d. Balance on one foot for a few seconds
ANS: D
3-year-olds are able to accomplish the gross motor skill of balancing on one foot.
,Jumping rope, riding a two-wheel bike, and skipping on alternative feet are gross
motor skills of 5-year-old children
In terms of cognitive development the 5-year-old child would be expected to:
a. Use magical thinking.
b. Think abstractly.
c. Understand conservation of matter.
d. Be unable to comprehend another person's perspective.
ANS: A
Magical thinking is believing that thoughts can cause events. Abstract thought does
not develop until school-age years. The concept of conservation is the cognitive task
of school-age children ages 5 to 7 years. Five-year-olds cannot understand another's
perspective.
A 4-year-old boy is hospitalized with a serious bacterial infection. He tells the
nurse that he is sick because he was "bad." The nurse's best interpretation of this
comment is that it is:
a. A sign of stress.
b. Common at this age.
c. Suggestive of maladaptation.
d. Suggestive of excessive discipline at home.
ANS: B
Preschoolers cannot understand the cause and effect of illness. Their egocentrism
makes them think that they are directly responsible for events, making them feel guilt
for things outside of their control. Children of this age show stress by regressing
developmentally or acting out. Maladaptation is unlikely. This comment does not
imply excessive discipline at home.
Which type of play is most typical of the preschool period?
, a. Solitary c. Associative
b. Parallel d. Team
ANS: C
Associative play is group play in similar or identical activities but without rigid
organization or rules. Solitary play is that of infants. Parallel play is that of toddlers.
School-age children play in teams.
The parent of a 4-year-old son tells the nurse that the child believes "monsters
and boogeyman" are in his bedroom at night. The nurse's best suggestion for
coping with this problem is to:
a. Insist that the child sleep with his parents
until the fearful phase passes.
b. Suggest involving the child to find a
practical solution such as a night light.
c. Help the child understand that these fears
are illogical.
d. Tell the child frequently that monsters and
boogeyman do not exist.
ANS: B
A night light shows a child that imaginary creatures do not lurk in the darkness.
Letting the child sleep with parents will not get rid of the fears. A 4-year-old is in the
preconceptual age and cannot understand logical thought.
Which statement accurately describes physical development during the school-
age years?
a. The child's weight almost triples.
b. A child grows an average of 2 inches per
year.
c. Few physical differences are apparent
among children at the end of middle
childhood.
