Pediatrics Nursing- Growth and Development:
NCLEX Final Questions and Answers with Rationale
2024-2025
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-old 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
NCLEX Final Questions and Answers with Rationale
2024-2025
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-old 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
