PNG 320 – Pediatric Nutrition and Growth
in Nursing ACTUAL UPDATED
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
Explain the importance of proper nutrition in early childhood development.
CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Proper nutrition in early childhood is critical for growth, cognitive development, immune
function, and prevention of chronic diseases. Inadequate nutrition can lead to stunting,
wasting, developmental delays, and increased susceptibility to infections. Nurses assess
dietary intake, growth patterns, and provide education to caregivers about age-appropriate
nutrition. Early intervention can prevent long-term deficits and improve quality of life.
Discuss the nutritional requirements for infants in the first six months of life.
CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Infants require exclusive breastfeeding or iron-fortified formula to meet energy, protein, fat,
vitamin, and mineral needs. Breastmilk provides immunological benefits and optimal
macronutrient composition. Nurses educate mothers on proper breastfeeding techniques,
feeding frequency, and monitoring for growth and hydration. Supplements (like vitamin D)
may be required depending on local guidelines and maternal nutrition.
Describe complementary feeding and the timing for introduction of solid foods.
CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Complementary feeding begins at about 6 months of age when breastmilk or formula alone
no longer meets nutritional needs. Start with iron-rich, soft foods and gradually increase
variety, texture, and complexity. Nurses instruct caregivers on safe preparation, avoiding
choking hazards, and recognizing signs of food intolerance or allergy. Proper complementary
feeding supports growth, prevents micronutrient deficiencies, and promotes healthy eating
habits.
Explain the role of macronutrients in pediatric growth.
CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Macronutrients include carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Carbohydrates are the main energy
source, supporting physical activity and brain function. Proteins are essential for tissue
growth, repair, and enzyme/hormone production. Fats provide concentrated energy, support
brain and eye development, and aid in absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Nurses assess
dietary intake to ensure adequate macronutrient balance for optimal growth.
, Discuss micronutrient requirements in children and common deficiencies.
CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Key micronutrients include iron, calcium, zinc, iodine, vitamin D, and vitamin A. Iron
deficiency can cause anemia and cognitive impairment; vitamin D and calcium are critical for
bone health; zinc supports immunity and wound healing; iodine is necessary for thyroid
function; vitamin A deficiency can cause vision problems. Nurses monitor growth, lab
values, dietary intake, and provide supplementation or dietary counseling as needed.
Describe methods for assessing nutritional status in children.
CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Nutritional assessment includes anthropometric measures (weight, height/length, BMI, head
circumference), dietary history, laboratory investigations, and physical examination (skin,
hair, mucous membranes). Nurses plot growth on standardized growth charts, calculate z-
scores, and identify trends over time. Early detection of malnutrition or overnutrition allows
timely interventions.
Explain breastfeeding benefits for infants and mothers.
CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Breastfeeding provides complete nutrition for infants, enhances immunity, reduces infections,
and supports cognitive development. For mothers, it promotes uterine involution, reduces
postpartum bleeding, and may lower the risk of certain cancers. Nurses encourage exclusive
breastfeeding for six months, support proper latch, and educate on managing common
challenges like engorgement or mastitis.
Discuss formula feeding: selection, preparation, and safety considerations.
CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
When breastfeeding is not possible, iron-fortified infant formula is recommended. Nurses
educate caregivers on proper formula selection based on age, preparation according to
manufacturer guidelines, hygiene to prevent contamination, correct storage, and safe bottle
feeding techniques. Monitoring growth and hydration ensures adequate nutritional intake.
Describe the identification and management of undernutrition in children.
CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
in Nursing ACTUAL UPDATED
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
Explain the importance of proper nutrition in early childhood development.
CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Proper nutrition in early childhood is critical for growth, cognitive development, immune
function, and prevention of chronic diseases. Inadequate nutrition can lead to stunting,
wasting, developmental delays, and increased susceptibility to infections. Nurses assess
dietary intake, growth patterns, and provide education to caregivers about age-appropriate
nutrition. Early intervention can prevent long-term deficits and improve quality of life.
Discuss the nutritional requirements for infants in the first six months of life.
CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Infants require exclusive breastfeeding or iron-fortified formula to meet energy, protein, fat,
vitamin, and mineral needs. Breastmilk provides immunological benefits and optimal
macronutrient composition. Nurses educate mothers on proper breastfeeding techniques,
feeding frequency, and monitoring for growth and hydration. Supplements (like vitamin D)
may be required depending on local guidelines and maternal nutrition.
Describe complementary feeding and the timing for introduction of solid foods.
CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Complementary feeding begins at about 6 months of age when breastmilk or formula alone
no longer meets nutritional needs. Start with iron-rich, soft foods and gradually increase
variety, texture, and complexity. Nurses instruct caregivers on safe preparation, avoiding
choking hazards, and recognizing signs of food intolerance or allergy. Proper complementary
feeding supports growth, prevents micronutrient deficiencies, and promotes healthy eating
habits.
Explain the role of macronutrients in pediatric growth.
CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Macronutrients include carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Carbohydrates are the main energy
source, supporting physical activity and brain function. Proteins are essential for tissue
growth, repair, and enzyme/hormone production. Fats provide concentrated energy, support
brain and eye development, and aid in absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Nurses assess
dietary intake to ensure adequate macronutrient balance for optimal growth.
, Discuss micronutrient requirements in children and common deficiencies.
CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Key micronutrients include iron, calcium, zinc, iodine, vitamin D, and vitamin A. Iron
deficiency can cause anemia and cognitive impairment; vitamin D and calcium are critical for
bone health; zinc supports immunity and wound healing; iodine is necessary for thyroid
function; vitamin A deficiency can cause vision problems. Nurses monitor growth, lab
values, dietary intake, and provide supplementation or dietary counseling as needed.
Describe methods for assessing nutritional status in children.
CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Nutritional assessment includes anthropometric measures (weight, height/length, BMI, head
circumference), dietary history, laboratory investigations, and physical examination (skin,
hair, mucous membranes). Nurses plot growth on standardized growth charts, calculate z-
scores, and identify trends over time. Early detection of malnutrition or overnutrition allows
timely interventions.
Explain breastfeeding benefits for infants and mothers.
CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Breastfeeding provides complete nutrition for infants, enhances immunity, reduces infections,
and supports cognitive development. For mothers, it promotes uterine involution, reduces
postpartum bleeding, and may lower the risk of certain cancers. Nurses encourage exclusive
breastfeeding for six months, support proper latch, and educate on managing common
challenges like engorgement or mastitis.
Discuss formula feeding: selection, preparation, and safety considerations.
CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
When breastfeeding is not possible, iron-fortified infant formula is recommended. Nurses
educate caregivers on proper formula selection based on age, preparation according to
manufacturer guidelines, hygiene to prevent contamination, correct storage, and safe bottle
feeding techniques. Monitoring growth and hydration ensures adequate nutritional intake.
Describe the identification and management of undernutrition in children.
CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
