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Developmental Stages: Infancy to
Adolescents Questions and Correct Answers
The clinic nurse is preparing to explain the concepts of Kohlberg's
theory of moral development with a parent. The nurse should tell
the parent that which factor motivates good and bad actions for
the child at the preconventional level? Ans: Punishment and
reward
The maternity nurse is providing instructions to a new mother
regarding the psychosocial development of the newborn infant.
Using Erikson's psychosocial development theory, the nurse
instructs the mother to take which measure? Ans: Allow the
newborn infant to signal a need.
The nurse notes that a 6-year-old child does not recognize that
objects exist even when the objects are outside of the visual field.
Based on this observation, which action should the nurse take Ans:
Report the observation to the health care provider.
A nursing student is presenting a clinical conference to peers
regarding Freud's psychosexual stages of development, specifically
the anal stage. The student explains to the group that which
characteristic relates to this stage of development? Ans: This
stage is associated with toilet training.
The nurse is describing Piaget's cognitive developmental theory to
pediatric nursing staff. The nurse should tell that staff that which
child behavior is characteristic of the formal operations stage?
Ans: The child has the ability to think abstractly.
The mother of an 8-year-old child tells the clinic nurse that she is
concerned about the child because the child seems to be more
attentive to friends than anything else. Using Erikson's
psychosocial development theory, the nurse should make which
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
response Ans: "At this age, the child is developing his own
personality."
The nurse educator is preparing to conduct a teaching session for
the nursing staff regarding the theories of growth and
development and plans to discuss Kohlberg's theory of moral
development. What information should the nurse include in the
session? Select all that apply. Ans: -Moral development progresses
in relationship to cognitive development.
-A person's ability to make moral judgments develops over a
period of time
-The theory provides a framework for understanding how
individuals determine a moral code to guide their behavior
-In stage 2 (instrumental-relativist orientation), the child conforms
to rules to obtain rewards or have favors returned.
A parent of a 3-year-old tells a clinic nurse that the child is
rebelling constantly and having temper tantrums. Using Erikson's
psychosocial development theory, which instructions should the
nurse provide to the parent? Select all that apply. Ans: -Set limits
on the child's behavior.
-Provide a simple explanation of why the behavior is unacceptable.
A 4-year-old child diagnosed with leukemia is hospitalized for
chemotherapy. The child is fearful of the hospitalization. Which
nursing intervention should be implemented to alleviate the child's
fears? Ans: Encourage the child's parents to stay with the child.
A 16-year-old client is admitted to the hospital for acute
appendicitis and an appendectomy is performed. Which nursing
intervention is most appropriate to facilitate normal growth and
development postoperatively? Ans: Allow the client to interact
with others in his or her (adolescent) same age group.
© 2025 All rights reserved
Developmental Stages: Infancy to
Adolescents Questions and Correct Answers
The clinic nurse is preparing to explain the concepts of Kohlberg's
theory of moral development with a parent. The nurse should tell
the parent that which factor motivates good and bad actions for
the child at the preconventional level? Ans: Punishment and
reward
The maternity nurse is providing instructions to a new mother
regarding the psychosocial development of the newborn infant.
Using Erikson's psychosocial development theory, the nurse
instructs the mother to take which measure? Ans: Allow the
newborn infant to signal a need.
The nurse notes that a 6-year-old child does not recognize that
objects exist even when the objects are outside of the visual field.
Based on this observation, which action should the nurse take Ans:
Report the observation to the health care provider.
A nursing student is presenting a clinical conference to peers
regarding Freud's psychosexual stages of development, specifically
the anal stage. The student explains to the group that which
characteristic relates to this stage of development? Ans: This
stage is associated with toilet training.
The nurse is describing Piaget's cognitive developmental theory to
pediatric nursing staff. The nurse should tell that staff that which
child behavior is characteristic of the formal operations stage?
Ans: The child has the ability to think abstractly.
The mother of an 8-year-old child tells the clinic nurse that she is
concerned about the child because the child seems to be more
attentive to friends than anything else. Using Erikson's
psychosocial development theory, the nurse should make which
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
response Ans: "At this age, the child is developing his own
personality."
The nurse educator is preparing to conduct a teaching session for
the nursing staff regarding the theories of growth and
development and plans to discuss Kohlberg's theory of moral
development. What information should the nurse include in the
session? Select all that apply. Ans: -Moral development progresses
in relationship to cognitive development.
-A person's ability to make moral judgments develops over a
period of time
-The theory provides a framework for understanding how
individuals determine a moral code to guide their behavior
-In stage 2 (instrumental-relativist orientation), the child conforms
to rules to obtain rewards or have favors returned.
A parent of a 3-year-old tells a clinic nurse that the child is
rebelling constantly and having temper tantrums. Using Erikson's
psychosocial development theory, which instructions should the
nurse provide to the parent? Select all that apply. Ans: -Set limits
on the child's behavior.
-Provide a simple explanation of why the behavior is unacceptable.
A 4-year-old child diagnosed with leukemia is hospitalized for
chemotherapy. The child is fearful of the hospitalization. Which
nursing intervention should be implemented to alleviate the child's
fears? Ans: Encourage the child's parents to stay with the child.
A 16-year-old client is admitted to the hospital for acute
appendicitis and an appendectomy is performed. Which nursing
intervention is most appropriate to facilitate normal growth and
development postoperatively? Ans: Allow the client to interact
with others in his or her (adolescent) same age group.
© 2025 All rights reserved
