Caring Throughout the Life Span

1. The nurse is caring for a 2-month-old infant. Which of the following developmental milestones should the nurse expect at this age? a. Sits without support b. Follows objects with eyes c. Pulls up to stand d. Says "mama" and "dada" Answer: b. Follows objects with eyes Rationale: At 2 months, infants are expected to begin tracking objects with their eyes. Sitting without support occurs closer to 6 months, pulling to stand closer to 9 months, and saying "mama" or "dada" typically develops after 9-12 months. ________________________________________ 2. The nurse is teaching a group of parents about injury prevention in toddlers. Which statement by a parent indicates the need for further teaching? a. "I should keep poisonous substances locked away." b. "I should make sure my child wears a helmet when biking." c. "I can leave my toddler in the bathtub as long as I’m in the next room." d. "I will ensure my toddler's car seat is rear-facing." Answer: c. "I can leave my toddler in the bathtub as long as I’m in the next room." Rationale: Toddlers should never be left unattended in the bathtub due to the risk of drowning. Helmets and rear-facing car seats are important safety measures, and keeping poisonous substances out of reach prevents accidental ingestion. ________________________________________ 3. A 4-year-old child is in the hospital. The nurse expects which behavior according to Piaget’s stages of development? a. The child has abstract reasoning skills b. The child engages in pretend play c. The child understands conservation d. The child solves hypothetical problems Answer: b. The child engages in pretend play Rationale: According to Piaget, a 4-year-old is in the preoperational stage (2-7 years), characterized by symbolic play and egocentric thinking. Abstract reasoning and understanding of conservation come in later stages of cognitive development. ________________________________________ 4. The nurse is planning care for a school-aged child who is recovering from surgery. Which intervention best addresses the child's developmental needs? a. Encourage participation in group activities b. Allow the child to have frequent rest periods c. Provide age-appropriate books and puzzles d. Engage the child in pretend play Answer: c. Provide age-appropriate books and puzzles Rationale: School-aged children (6-12 years) are in Erikson's stage of Industry vs. Inferiority, where they develop competence through activities that challenge their intellect. Puzzles and books are appropriate for cognitive development. ________________________________________ 5. Which of the following is the most appropriate intervention when assessing an adolescent client? a. Talk to the parents first b. Focus on developmental delays c. Respect the client’s need for privacy d. Use medical jargon Answer: c. Respect the client’s need for privacy Rationale: Adolescents are developing a sense of identity and value privacy. It’s important to build trust by maintaining confidentiality and addressing the client directly rather than focusing solely on parental input or delays. ________________________________________ 6. The nurse is assessing a 45-year-old client who reports difficulty managing stress. Which of the following approaches would be most appropriate for this age group? a. Discuss retirement planning b. Offer information on stress management techniques c. Recommend a complete diet change d. Suggest the client reduce social activities Answer: b. Offer information on stress management techniques Rationale: At this stage (middle adulthood), clients are often balancing work, family, and personal health. Stress management techniques are useful interventions to promote coping and prevent health issues. ________________________________________ 7. A 72-year-old client expresses concern about memory loss. Which assessment finding is most consistent with normal aging? a. Forgetting to pay bills regularly b. Inability to recall recent events c. Forgetting the names of close family members d. Occasionally forgetting where the keys are placed Answer: d. Occasionally forgetting where the keys are placed Rationale: Mild forgetfulness, such as occasionally misplacing items, is a normal part of aging. Forgetting recent events or family members may indicate a more serious condition like dementia. ________________________________________ 8. A nurse is caring for a client with Alzheimer’s disease. Which intervention is most appropriate for promoting communication? a. Ask the client open-ended questions b. Use simple, direct statements c. Encourage the client to write responses d. Avoid repeating instructions Answer: b. Use simple, direct statements Rationale: Clients with Alzheimer’s disease benefit from clear, simple communication as their cognitive function declines. Open-ended questions may be too difficult for them to process. ________________________________________ 9. The nurse is teaching an older adult client about nutrition. Which of the following dietary changes is most important for this age group? a. Increase carbohydrate intake b. Limit protein intake c. Increase calcium and vitamin D d. Reduce fiber consumption Answer: c. Increase calcium and vitamin D Rationale: Older adults need additional calcium and vitamin D to maintain bone health and prevent osteoporosis. Fiber is also important to prevent constipation, while carbohydrate and protein intake should be balanced. ________________________________________ 10. When teaching an older adult client about health promotion, which of the following topics is most relevant to include? a. Infant care techniques b. Risk factors for skin cancer c. Managing a full-time career d. Strategies for increasing muscle mass Answer: b. Risk factors for skin cancer Rationale: Older adults are more vulnerable to skin cancer due to cumulative sun exposure. Health promotion in older adults often focuses on preventing age-related conditions like skin cancer and osteoporosis.