"2025 Burns’ Pediatric Primary Care 8th Edition
Complete Test Bank • Chapters 8–14 × 50 MCQs Each
(Total 350 Questions) with 100% Correct Answers &
Detailed Rationales for Guaranteed A+ Success"
Chapter 8.
Developmental Principles and Theories
1.Principle of Sequential Development (Easy, Knowledge)
Which principle states that development occurs in a
predictable order from head to toe?
A. Orthogenetic
B. Cephalocaudal
C. Proximodistal
D. Differentiation
Answer: B
Rationale:
o B (Correct): “Cephalocaudal” describes head-to-toe
progression of motor control.
o A: Orthogenetic refers to development from global to
specific, not directional.
o C: Proximodistal is center-to-extremities progression.
, o D: Differentiation means progression from simple to
complex skill.
Adaptive:
o Correct → try a medium question on sequential vs.
cumulative principles.
o Incorrect → review the four developmental principles
with a basic recall item.
2. Principle of Individual Variation (Medium, Knowledge)
A pediatric nurse recognizes that children of the same age
may reach milestones at different times. This illustrates
which developmental principle?
A. Maturation
B. Individual Variation
C. Critical Period
D. Cumulative
Answer: B
Rationale:
o B (Correct): Individual variation acknowledges
disparate timing among peers.
o A: Maturation refers to changes as a result of aging,
not timing differences.
o C: Critical period denotes a specific window for skill
acquisition.
o D: Cumulative means each stage builds on prior ones.
Adaptive:
, o Correct → proceed to an analysis question
contrasting individual vs. critical period.
o Incorrect → remediate with basic definitions of
developmental principles.
3. Orthogenetic Principle (Hard, Analysis)
A 4-month-old moves from swiping at objects with the
whole hand to using a raking grasp. This best exemplifies
which principle?
A. Orthogenetic
B. Cephalocaudal
C. Proximodistal
D. Maturation
Answer: A
Rationale:
o A (Correct): Orthogenetic—development progresses
from undifferentiated to well-differentiated
movements.
o B: Cephalocaudal concerns head-to-toe, not global-
to-specific motor skills.
o C: Proximodistal pertains to center-to-peripheral
growth.
o D: Maturation refers broadly to biologic unfolding,
not sequence of differentiation.
Adaptive:
, o Correct → attempt a clinical scenario applying
orthogenetic vs. proximodistal.
o Incorrect → review the four principles through
flashcards.
4. Piaget—Sensorimotor Stage (Easy, Knowledge)
During which Piagetian stage do infants develop object
permanence?
A. Preoperational
B. Sensorimotor
C. Concrete Operational
D. Formal Operational
Answer: B
Rationale:
o B (Correct): Object permanence emerges around 8–
12 months in the sensorimotor stage.
o A: Preoperational (2–7 years) includes symbolic play
but object permanence is earlier.
o C/D: Later stages involve concrete and abstract
thought, not primary sensorimotor tasks.
Adaptive:
o Correct → try a medium question on A-not-B error.
o Incorrect → remediate with examples of
sensorimotor sub-stages.
Complete Test Bank • Chapters 8–14 × 50 MCQs Each
(Total 350 Questions) with 100% Correct Answers &
Detailed Rationales for Guaranteed A+ Success"
Chapter 8.
Developmental Principles and Theories
1.Principle of Sequential Development (Easy, Knowledge)
Which principle states that development occurs in a
predictable order from head to toe?
A. Orthogenetic
B. Cephalocaudal
C. Proximodistal
D. Differentiation
Answer: B
Rationale:
o B (Correct): “Cephalocaudal” describes head-to-toe
progression of motor control.
o A: Orthogenetic refers to development from global to
specific, not directional.
o C: Proximodistal is center-to-extremities progression.
, o D: Differentiation means progression from simple to
complex skill.
Adaptive:
o Correct → try a medium question on sequential vs.
cumulative principles.
o Incorrect → review the four developmental principles
with a basic recall item.
2. Principle of Individual Variation (Medium, Knowledge)
A pediatric nurse recognizes that children of the same age
may reach milestones at different times. This illustrates
which developmental principle?
A. Maturation
B. Individual Variation
C. Critical Period
D. Cumulative
Answer: B
Rationale:
o B (Correct): Individual variation acknowledges
disparate timing among peers.
o A: Maturation refers to changes as a result of aging,
not timing differences.
o C: Critical period denotes a specific window for skill
acquisition.
o D: Cumulative means each stage builds on prior ones.
Adaptive:
, o Correct → proceed to an analysis question
contrasting individual vs. critical period.
o Incorrect → remediate with basic definitions of
developmental principles.
3. Orthogenetic Principle (Hard, Analysis)
A 4-month-old moves from swiping at objects with the
whole hand to using a raking grasp. This best exemplifies
which principle?
A. Orthogenetic
B. Cephalocaudal
C. Proximodistal
D. Maturation
Answer: A
Rationale:
o A (Correct): Orthogenetic—development progresses
from undifferentiated to well-differentiated
movements.
o B: Cephalocaudal concerns head-to-toe, not global-
to-specific motor skills.
o C: Proximodistal pertains to center-to-peripheral
growth.
o D: Maturation refers broadly to biologic unfolding,
not sequence of differentiation.
Adaptive:
, o Correct → attempt a clinical scenario applying
orthogenetic vs. proximodistal.
o Incorrect → review the four principles through
flashcards.
4. Piaget—Sensorimotor Stage (Easy, Knowledge)
During which Piagetian stage do infants develop object
permanence?
A. Preoperational
B. Sensorimotor
C. Concrete Operational
D. Formal Operational
Answer: B
Rationale:
o B (Correct): Object permanence emerges around 8–
12 months in the sensorimotor stage.
o A: Preoperational (2–7 years) includes symbolic play
but object permanence is earlier.
o C/D: Later stages involve concrete and abstract
thought, not primary sensorimotor tasks.
Adaptive:
o Correct → try a medium question on A-not-B error.
o Incorrect → remediate with examples of
sensorimotor sub-stages.
