Pediatric Nursing Essentials: Growth Milestones & Emergency Care
2025
100 NCLEX-Style Questions with Verified Answers
Growth & Development Milestones (Questions 1-40)
Question 1
A 4-month-old infant is brought for a well-child visit. Which
developmental milestone should the nurse expect the infant to have
achieved? A) Sitting without support B) Rolling from back to front C)
Holding head steady when upright D) Crawling on hands and knees
Answer: C Rationale: By 4 months, infants should hold their head
steady when upright. Rolling occurs around 4-6 months, sitting without
support at 6-8 months, and crawling at 8-10 months.
Question 2
The mother of a 12-month-old asks about expected vocabulary. What
should the nurse tell her? A) The child should speak in 2-word
sentences B) The child should say 2-3 recognizable words C) The child
should follow simple commands only D) The child should say 10-15
words clearly
Answer: B Rationale: By 12 months, toddlers typically say 2-3
recognizable words like "mama" or "dada." Two-word sentences
develop around 18-24 months.
Question 3
,A 2-year-old is exhibiting parallel play. The nurse recognizes this as: A)
Playing cooperatively with other children B) Playing alone while ignoring
other children C) Playing alongside other children without interaction D)
Playing with imaginary friends
Answer: C Rationale: Parallel play is characteristic of toddlers (1-3
years) where children play alongside each other but don't interact
directly.
Question 4
Which gross motor skill should a 6-month-old infant demonstrate? A)
Walking with assistance B) Sitting without support C) Rolling from front
to back and back to front D) Standing while holding furniture
Answer: C Rationale: By 6 months, infants can roll both ways. Sitting
without support occurs around 6-8 months, standing with furniture at
8-10 months.
Question 5
A 15-month-old toddler's parent is concerned about temper tantrums.
What should the nurse explain? A) This indicates a behavioral disorder
B) This is normal for this developmental stage C) The child needs
immediate discipline D) This suggests developmental delays
Answer: B Rationale: Temper tantrums are normal in toddlers (12-36
months) due to limited communication skills and developing autonomy.
Question 6
Which fine motor skill is expected in a 9-month-old? A) Stacking 2-3
blocks B) Using pincer grasp C) Scribbling with a crayon D) Turning pages
in a book
, Answer: B Rationale: Pincer grasp (thumb and forefinger) develops
around 9 months. Block stacking occurs around 12-15 months.
Question 7
A 3-year-old should be able to: A) Ride a bicycle with training wheels B)
Count to 20 C) Use scissors to cut paper D) Tie shoelaces
Answer: C Rationale: By age 3, children can use scissors to cut paper.
Bicycle riding and shoelace tying occur later in preschool years.
Question 8
The nurse is assessing language development in a 18-month-old. Which
finding is concerning? A) Uses 10-15 words B) Follows simple one-step
commands C) Says no recognizable words D) Uses gesture to
communicate needs
Answer: C Rationale: By 18 months, children should have 10-20 words.
No recognizable words at this age warrants further evaluation.
Question 9
A 5-year-old child is learning to skip. This represents development of: A)
Fine motor skills B) Gross motor skills C) Cognitive skills D) Social skills
Answer: B Rationale: Skipping involves large muscle groups and
coordination, representing gross motor development typical of school-
age children.
Question 10
Which behavior is characteristic of a 4-year-old's cognitive
development? A) Understanding conservation of matter B) Engaging in
2025
100 NCLEX-Style Questions with Verified Answers
Growth & Development Milestones (Questions 1-40)
Question 1
A 4-month-old infant is brought for a well-child visit. Which
developmental milestone should the nurse expect the infant to have
achieved? A) Sitting without support B) Rolling from back to front C)
Holding head steady when upright D) Crawling on hands and knees
Answer: C Rationale: By 4 months, infants should hold their head
steady when upright. Rolling occurs around 4-6 months, sitting without
support at 6-8 months, and crawling at 8-10 months.
Question 2
The mother of a 12-month-old asks about expected vocabulary. What
should the nurse tell her? A) The child should speak in 2-word
sentences B) The child should say 2-3 recognizable words C) The child
should follow simple commands only D) The child should say 10-15
words clearly
Answer: B Rationale: By 12 months, toddlers typically say 2-3
recognizable words like "mama" or "dada." Two-word sentences
develop around 18-24 months.
Question 3
,A 2-year-old is exhibiting parallel play. The nurse recognizes this as: A)
Playing cooperatively with other children B) Playing alone while ignoring
other children C) Playing alongside other children without interaction D)
Playing with imaginary friends
Answer: C Rationale: Parallel play is characteristic of toddlers (1-3
years) where children play alongside each other but don't interact
directly.
Question 4
Which gross motor skill should a 6-month-old infant demonstrate? A)
Walking with assistance B) Sitting without support C) Rolling from front
to back and back to front D) Standing while holding furniture
Answer: C Rationale: By 6 months, infants can roll both ways. Sitting
without support occurs around 6-8 months, standing with furniture at
8-10 months.
Question 5
A 15-month-old toddler's parent is concerned about temper tantrums.
What should the nurse explain? A) This indicates a behavioral disorder
B) This is normal for this developmental stage C) The child needs
immediate discipline D) This suggests developmental delays
Answer: B Rationale: Temper tantrums are normal in toddlers (12-36
months) due to limited communication skills and developing autonomy.
Question 6
Which fine motor skill is expected in a 9-month-old? A) Stacking 2-3
blocks B) Using pincer grasp C) Scribbling with a crayon D) Turning pages
in a book
, Answer: B Rationale: Pincer grasp (thumb and forefinger) develops
around 9 months. Block stacking occurs around 12-15 months.
Question 7
A 3-year-old should be able to: A) Ride a bicycle with training wheels B)
Count to 20 C) Use scissors to cut paper D) Tie shoelaces
Answer: C Rationale: By age 3, children can use scissors to cut paper.
Bicycle riding and shoelace tying occur later in preschool years.
Question 8
The nurse is assessing language development in a 18-month-old. Which
finding is concerning? A) Uses 10-15 words B) Follows simple one-step
commands C) Says no recognizable words D) Uses gesture to
communicate needs
Answer: C Rationale: By 18 months, children should have 10-20 words.
No recognizable words at this age warrants further evaluation.
Question 9
A 5-year-old child is learning to skip. This represents development of: A)
Fine motor skills B) Gross motor skills C) Cognitive skills D) Social skills
Answer: B Rationale: Skipping involves large muscle groups and
coordination, representing gross motor development typical of school-
age children.
Question 10
Which behavior is characteristic of a 4-year-old's cognitive
development? A) Understanding conservation of matter B) Engaging in
