Chapter 12 Conception through Adolescence Fundamentals of Nursing 11th Edition (Potter & Perry) 50 NCLEX-Style Exam Questions with Detailed Rationales

1. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant. Which developmental milestone is expected at this age? A. Pulls to stand B. Sits unsupported C. Rolls from back to front D. Says simple sentences Answer: C Rationale: At 6 months, most infants can roll from back to front. Sitting unsupported typically occurs closer to 8 months, and pulling to stand around 9–12 months. Sentences emerge in toddlerhood. ________________________________________ 2. The parents of a toddler report frequent temper tantrums. What should the nurse advise to promote healthy development? A. Use consistent routines and give simple choices B. Ignore the child completely during tantrums C. Punish all outbursts strictly D. Let the child do whatever they want Answer: A Rationale: Toddlers thrive with structure. Offering choices and predictable routines supports autonomy and reduces frustration. ________________________________________ 3. During a preschool wellness visit, the nurse notes the child engages in parallel play. Which age group does this typically represent? A. Infants B. Toddlers C. Preschoolers D. School-age children Answer: B Rationale: Parallel play—playing alongside but not with others—is typical of toddlers aged 1 to 3 years. ________________________________________ 4. A school-age child begins to form same-sex peer groups. What psychosocial task is being accomplished according to Erikson? A. Identity vs. Role Confusion B. Industry vs. Inferiority C. Initiative vs. Guilt D. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt Answer: B Rationale: School-age children (6–12 years) develop a sense of industry through accomplishments and peer interactions. ________________________________________ 5. What is a priority nursing action when caring for hospitalized adolescents? A. Encourage separation from peer group B. Limit independence for safety C. Provide opportunities for privacy and peer interaction D. Focus on family-based care planning Answer: C Rationale: Adolescents need independence and peer relationships to establish identity. Respect for privacy supports their developmental needs. ________________________________________ 6. At what age does object permanence typically develop? A. 3 months B. 6 months C. 9 months D. 15 months Answer: C Rationale: Object permanence—the understanding that objects continue to exist even when out of sight—usually develops by 8–9 months. ________________________________________ 7. A 4-year-old tells the nurse, “The moon follows me home.” This illustrates which cognitive concept? A. Egocentrism B. Animism C. Symbolic play D. Magical thinking Answer: A Rationale: Egocentrism is the inability to see things from another’s perspective and is typical in preschoolers. ________________________________________ 8. According to Piaget, what type of thinking characterizes school-age children? A. Abstract reasoning B. Concrete operational thought C. Preoperational fantasy D. Sensorimotor exploration Answer: B Rationale: School-age children use concrete logic to understand rules and cause-effect relationships but lack abstract thought. ________________________________________ 9. A 2-year-old refuses to eat when fed but eats when allowed to use a spoon. What should the nurse tell the parents? A. The child is manipulative B. The child is demonstrating autonomy C. Spoon-feeding is inappropriate at this age D. Mealtime behavior should be punished Answer: B Rationale: Toddlers assert independence by wanting to do tasks themselves, such as feeding. ________________________________________ 10. A nurse assesses language development in a 3-year-old. What is expected at this age? A. Speaks in 3-word sentences B. Uses only gestures C. Repeats single words D. Follows two-step commands silently Answer: A Rationale: By age 3, children typically use short sentences and can follow two- to three-step instructions. ________________________________________ 11. Which immunizations should a healthy 2-month-old receive during a well-baby checkup? A. MMR, varicella, polio B. DTaP, Hib, IPV, PCV, rotavirus C. Tdap, HPV, hepatitis B D. Influenza, meningococcal Answer: B Rationale: These vaccines are recommended at 2 months: DTaP, Hib, IPV, pneumococcal (PCV), and rotavirus. ________________________________________ 12. A preschooler blames a chair for tripping them. What type of thinking does this reflect? A. Concrete B. Magical C. Logical D. Rational Answer: B Rationale: Magical thinking is common in preschoolers and involves assigning cause to unrelated events. ________________________________________ 13. An 8-year-old hospitalized with diabetes wants to help check their blood glucose. What is the best nursing response? A. “That’s too complicated for you.” B. “Helping out will make you feel more in control.” C. “Your parents should do it for you.” D. “Let’s wait until you’re a teenager.” Answer: B Rationale: School-age children gain confidence by mastering tasks and being involved in their own care. ________________________________________ 14. What gross motor milestone is typical of a 9-month-old infant? A. Walking independently B. Sitting without support C. Jumping with two feet D. Drawing a circle Answer: B Rationale: Most 9-month-olds can sit unsupported and begin crawling. Walking occurs around 12 months. ________________________________________ 15. Which play activity would best support a hospitalized preschooler’s development? A. Playing board games with rules B. Listening to music with teenagers C. Engaging in dress-up or role-play D. Reading textbooks independently Answer: C Rationale: Preschoolers engage in imaginative play, which helps develop social and cognitive skills.