1
Growth and Development NCLEX Practice
Questions
Why Choose This Document?
This comprehensive Growth and Development NCLEX practice quiz is meticulously crafted to
help nursing students and graduates master one of the most essential topics for the NCLEX-RN
exam. This document offers:
● High-yield questions: Focused on the most frequently tested and clinically significant
concepts in growth and developmental nursing care.
● Detailed explanations: Each question is followed by a clear, concise, and
evidence-based explanation, enhancing your understanding and retention.
● Broad coverage: Covers developmental milestones, cognitive and psychosocial stages,
growth assessment, and common developmental disorders.
● Trusted expertise: Developed and reviewed by experienced Registered Nurses and
NCLEX educators to ensure accuracy and relevance.
This study guide is perfect for nursing students preparing for the NCLEX exam or clinical
practice and anyone seeking to deepen their knowledge of pediatric growth and development
principles.
Compiled by: Registered Nurses and NCLEX Tutors
Approved and Verified for Accuracy and Relevance
, 2
Growth and Development NCLEX Practice Questions
1. At what age does a typical infant begin to smile responsively?
A. Birth
B. 6 weeks
C. 3 months
D. 6 months
The answer is: B. 6 weeks
Explanation
Responsive smiling usually begins around 6 weeks of age. It marks the infant’s growing social
awareness and interaction with caregivers. This developmental milestone is important as it
indicates normal emotional and neurological growth. Smiling at birth is usually reflexive and not
a social response. By 3 months, infants develop more purposeful social behaviors, including
cooing and laughing. Caregivers should encourage interaction by talking and smiling back,
which promotes bonding and healthy emotional development. Delays in social smiling can
indicate neurological or developmental concerns requiring further evaluation.
2. When should a child typically begin to walk independently?
A. 6 months
B. 9 months
C. 12 months
D. 18 months
The answer is: C. 12 months
Explanation
Most children begin walking independently around 12 months of age, although the range can
vary from 9 to 15 months. Walking is a major gross motor milestone that reflects
musculoskeletal strength, balance, and neurological development. Early walking before 9 months
is uncommon and may indicate abnormal development. Walking by 18 months is still considered
within normal limits but might require monitoring. Encouraging safe exploration and allowing
toddlers freedom to practice walking help promote this skill. Delays in walking might warrant
evaluation for neuromuscular disorders or developmental delays.
3. Which of the following is the expected order of language development in infants?
A. Babbling, cooing, first words
, 3
B. Cooing, babbling, first words
C. First words, babbling, cooing
D. Babbling, first words, cooing
The answer is: B. Cooing, babbling, first words
Explanation
Language development in infants typically follows the sequence: cooing around 6–8 weeks,
babbling by 4–6 months, and first meaningful words around 12 months. Cooing involves
vowel-like sounds and is an early vocalization reflecting pleasure and communication readiness.
Babbling introduces consonant sounds and helps infants practice the mechanics of speech. First
words usually name familiar people or objects. This progression is essential for later complex
language skills. Delays in this sequence can indicate hearing loss or speech disorders, and early
intervention can improve outcomes.
4. At what age do most children develop the ability to use a spoon without spilling?
A. 9 months
B. 12 months
C. 18 months
D. 24 months
The answer is: C. 18 months
Explanation
By 18 months, most toddlers develop the fine motor coordination needed to use a spoon
effectively, often with some spilling. This milestone reflects improving hand-eye coordination
and muscle control. Before this, around 9–12 months, children may show interest in self-feeding
but typically lack coordination. By 24 months, most children can feed themselves independently.
Encouraging self-feeding promotes autonomy and fine motor skills development. Parents should
provide appropriate utensils and allow messes during learning. Delays might suggest
developmental concerns needing occupational therapy assessment.
5. Which play activity is typical for a 2-year-old child?
A. Parallel play
B. Cooperative play
C. Solitary play
D. Dramatic play
The answer is: A. Parallel play
Explanation
, 4
At around 2 years old, children engage primarily in parallel play, where they play alongside
peers without direct interaction. This stage is a normal social developmental phase as toddlers
begin to explore social environments but do not yet share or cooperate in play. Cooperative play,
where children play together with shared goals, usually develops by 3–4 years. Dramatic or
pretend play also begins around 3 years and becomes more complex as language and cognitive
skills grow. Observing appropriate play types helps assess social and developmental progress in
young children.
6. When does the anterior fontanel typically close in infants?
A. 2 months
B. 6 months
C. 12–18 months
D. 24 months
The answer is: C. 12–18 months
Explanation
The anterior fontanel, the soft spot on an infant’s skull, typically closes between 12 and 18
months. This closure occurs as the cranial bones fuse during normal brain growth. The fontanel
allows for flexibility during birth and accommodates brain development. A fontanel that closes
too early or late can signal craniosynostosis or other developmental problems. Nurses should
assess the fontanel during physical exams, noting size and tension. Bulging can indicate
increased intracranial pressure, while a sunken fontanel may suggest dehydration. Proper
monitoring supports early detection of abnormalities.
7. Which of the following developmental tasks is expected in a 4-year-old child?
A. Using two-word phrases
B. Riding a tricycle
C. Copying a circle
D. Tying shoelaces
The answer is: C. Copying a circle
Explanation
By age 4, children typically develop fine motor skills that allow them to copy simple shapes like
a circle. This reflects growing hand coordination and cognitive development. Two-word phrases
occur earlier around 18–24 months. Riding a tricycle is generally expected by 3 years. Tying
shoelaces is a more complex skill usually mastered by 5–6 years. Monitoring these milestones
helps track normal development and identify delays. Activities like drawing support creativity
and motor skills, so encouraging such play is beneficial for preschoolers.
Growth and Development NCLEX Practice
Questions
Why Choose This Document?
This comprehensive Growth and Development NCLEX practice quiz is meticulously crafted to
help nursing students and graduates master one of the most essential topics for the NCLEX-RN
exam. This document offers:
● High-yield questions: Focused on the most frequently tested and clinically significant
concepts in growth and developmental nursing care.
● Detailed explanations: Each question is followed by a clear, concise, and
evidence-based explanation, enhancing your understanding and retention.
● Broad coverage: Covers developmental milestones, cognitive and psychosocial stages,
growth assessment, and common developmental disorders.
● Trusted expertise: Developed and reviewed by experienced Registered Nurses and
NCLEX educators to ensure accuracy and relevance.
This study guide is perfect for nursing students preparing for the NCLEX exam or clinical
practice and anyone seeking to deepen their knowledge of pediatric growth and development
principles.
Compiled by: Registered Nurses and NCLEX Tutors
Approved and Verified for Accuracy and Relevance
, 2
Growth and Development NCLEX Practice Questions
1. At what age does a typical infant begin to smile responsively?
A. Birth
B. 6 weeks
C. 3 months
D. 6 months
The answer is: B. 6 weeks
Explanation
Responsive smiling usually begins around 6 weeks of age. It marks the infant’s growing social
awareness and interaction with caregivers. This developmental milestone is important as it
indicates normal emotional and neurological growth. Smiling at birth is usually reflexive and not
a social response. By 3 months, infants develop more purposeful social behaviors, including
cooing and laughing. Caregivers should encourage interaction by talking and smiling back,
which promotes bonding and healthy emotional development. Delays in social smiling can
indicate neurological or developmental concerns requiring further evaluation.
2. When should a child typically begin to walk independently?
A. 6 months
B. 9 months
C. 12 months
D. 18 months
The answer is: C. 12 months
Explanation
Most children begin walking independently around 12 months of age, although the range can
vary from 9 to 15 months. Walking is a major gross motor milestone that reflects
musculoskeletal strength, balance, and neurological development. Early walking before 9 months
is uncommon and may indicate abnormal development. Walking by 18 months is still considered
within normal limits but might require monitoring. Encouraging safe exploration and allowing
toddlers freedom to practice walking help promote this skill. Delays in walking might warrant
evaluation for neuromuscular disorders or developmental delays.
3. Which of the following is the expected order of language development in infants?
A. Babbling, cooing, first words
, 3
B. Cooing, babbling, first words
C. First words, babbling, cooing
D. Babbling, first words, cooing
The answer is: B. Cooing, babbling, first words
Explanation
Language development in infants typically follows the sequence: cooing around 6–8 weeks,
babbling by 4–6 months, and first meaningful words around 12 months. Cooing involves
vowel-like sounds and is an early vocalization reflecting pleasure and communication readiness.
Babbling introduces consonant sounds and helps infants practice the mechanics of speech. First
words usually name familiar people or objects. This progression is essential for later complex
language skills. Delays in this sequence can indicate hearing loss or speech disorders, and early
intervention can improve outcomes.
4. At what age do most children develop the ability to use a spoon without spilling?
A. 9 months
B. 12 months
C. 18 months
D. 24 months
The answer is: C. 18 months
Explanation
By 18 months, most toddlers develop the fine motor coordination needed to use a spoon
effectively, often with some spilling. This milestone reflects improving hand-eye coordination
and muscle control. Before this, around 9–12 months, children may show interest in self-feeding
but typically lack coordination. By 24 months, most children can feed themselves independently.
Encouraging self-feeding promotes autonomy and fine motor skills development. Parents should
provide appropriate utensils and allow messes during learning. Delays might suggest
developmental concerns needing occupational therapy assessment.
5. Which play activity is typical for a 2-year-old child?
A. Parallel play
B. Cooperative play
C. Solitary play
D. Dramatic play
The answer is: A. Parallel play
Explanation
, 4
At around 2 years old, children engage primarily in parallel play, where they play alongside
peers without direct interaction. This stage is a normal social developmental phase as toddlers
begin to explore social environments but do not yet share or cooperate in play. Cooperative play,
where children play together with shared goals, usually develops by 3–4 years. Dramatic or
pretend play also begins around 3 years and becomes more complex as language and cognitive
skills grow. Observing appropriate play types helps assess social and developmental progress in
young children.
6. When does the anterior fontanel typically close in infants?
A. 2 months
B. 6 months
C. 12–18 months
D. 24 months
The answer is: C. 12–18 months
Explanation
The anterior fontanel, the soft spot on an infant’s skull, typically closes between 12 and 18
months. This closure occurs as the cranial bones fuse during normal brain growth. The fontanel
allows for flexibility during birth and accommodates brain development. A fontanel that closes
too early or late can signal craniosynostosis or other developmental problems. Nurses should
assess the fontanel during physical exams, noting size and tension. Bulging can indicate
increased intracranial pressure, while a sunken fontanel may suggest dehydration. Proper
monitoring supports early detection of abnormalities.
7. Which of the following developmental tasks is expected in a 4-year-old child?
A. Using two-word phrases
B. Riding a tricycle
C. Copying a circle
D. Tying shoelaces
The answer is: C. Copying a circle
Explanation
By age 4, children typically develop fine motor skills that allow them to copy simple shapes like
a circle. This reflects growing hand coordination and cognitive development. Two-word phrases
occur earlier around 18–24 months. Riding a tricycle is generally expected by 3 years. Tying
shoelaces is a more complex skill usually mastered by 5–6 years. Monitoring these milestones
helps track normal development and identify delays. Activities like drawing support creativity
and motor skills, so encouraging such play is beneficial for preschoolers.
