,NU 131 / NU131 Exam 3 – Integrated Human Sciences
(Nursing and Healthcare I) | Galen College (2026/2027 Edition)
1. Which of the following best describes the primary function of the anterior fontanel in a newborn
infant?
A) It allows for rapid brain growth during the first year of life
B) It serves as a site for intracranial pressure monitoring
C) It protects the brain from birth trauma during delivery
D) It produces cerebrospinal fluid for neural protection
Correct Answer: It allows for rapid brain growth during the first year of life
Expert Rationale: The anterior fontanel remains open to accommodate the infant's rapid brain growth
during the first 12–18 months. It closes between 12–18 months of age. The posterior fontanel closes
much earlier, by approximately 4 months. The fontanels are not involved in CSF production or
intracranial pressure monitoring.
2. What is the most likely outcome if a family consistently operates under an authoritarian/autocratic
pattern of interaction?
A) Family members develop strong independent decision-making skills
B) Children may struggle with autonomy and self-direction
C) Family roles are fluid and negotiated among all members
D) Members experience high levels of emotional expression and warmth
Correct Answer: Children may struggle with autonomy and self-direction
Expert Rationale: In authoritarian families, parents make all decisions and children have little input. This
can hinder the development of autonomy and independent decision-making. Democratic families
encourage participation and responsibility, while laissez-faire families offer complete freedom.
3. According to Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, which developmental task is the primary
challenge for a school-age child (6–12 years)?
,A) Trust versus mistrust
B) Initiative versus guilt
C) Industry versus inferiority
D) Identity versus role confusion
Correct Answer: Industry versus inferiority
Expert Rationale: Erikson identified industry versus inferiority as the psychosocial crisis for school-age
children (6–12 years). During this stage, children develop self-confidence through learning, competing,
and performing successfully. Trust versus mistrust occurs in infancy, initiative versus guilt in late
childhood (3–6 years), and identity versus role confusion in adolescence.
4. Which term refers to the fine hair covering the body of a newborn infant?
A) Vernix caseosa
B) Milia
C) Lanugo
D) Meconium
Correct Answer: Lanugo
Expert Rationale: Lanugo is the fine hair covering the newborn's body. Vernix caseosa is the white,
cheesy substance protecting the fetus's skin. Milia are small pearly white spots on the infant's nose,
chin, and forehead. Meconium is the first bowel movement, greenish-black and tarry.
5. A researcher is studying the progression of motor skills in infants. Which pattern of growth and
development explains why an infant gains head control before walking?
A) Proximodistal development
B) Cephalocaudal development
C) Reflexive development
D) Cognitive development
, Correct Answer: Cephalocaudal development
Expert Rationale: Cephalocaudal development describes growth that begins at the head and progresses
downward. This explains why infants gain head control before sitting and walking. Proximodistal
development progresses from the center outward. Reflexive and cognitive development are separate
developmental processes.
6. What is the primary function of the Moro (startle) reflex in a newborn?
A) To protect the infant from falling
B) To assist with breastfeeding
C) To enable the infant to grasp objects
D) To help the infant locate food sources
Correct Answer: To protect the infant from falling
Expert Rationale: The Moro reflex is a protective response to sudden movement or jarring, causing
extension and adduction of extremities. It is believed to be an evolutionary protective mechanism. The
rooting reflex assists with breastfeeding, and the grasp reflex enables object holding.
7. In the context of Piaget's cognitive development theory, which stage corresponds to the infant from
birth to approximately 2 years of age?
A) Preoperational stage
B) Sensorimotor stage
C) Concrete operations stage
D) Formal operations stage
Correct Answer: Sensorimotor stage
Expert Rationale: Piaget's sensorimotor stage spans birth to approximately 2 years. During this stage,
infants learn about the world through sensory experiences and motor actions. The preoperational stage
occurs from 2–6 years, concrete operations from 6–12 years, and formal operations from 12–15 years.
(Nursing and Healthcare I) | Galen College (2026/2027 Edition)
1. Which of the following best describes the primary function of the anterior fontanel in a newborn
infant?
A) It allows for rapid brain growth during the first year of life
B) It serves as a site for intracranial pressure monitoring
C) It protects the brain from birth trauma during delivery
D) It produces cerebrospinal fluid for neural protection
Correct Answer: It allows for rapid brain growth during the first year of life
Expert Rationale: The anterior fontanel remains open to accommodate the infant's rapid brain growth
during the first 12–18 months. It closes between 12–18 months of age. The posterior fontanel closes
much earlier, by approximately 4 months. The fontanels are not involved in CSF production or
intracranial pressure monitoring.
2. What is the most likely outcome if a family consistently operates under an authoritarian/autocratic
pattern of interaction?
A) Family members develop strong independent decision-making skills
B) Children may struggle with autonomy and self-direction
C) Family roles are fluid and negotiated among all members
D) Members experience high levels of emotional expression and warmth
Correct Answer: Children may struggle with autonomy and self-direction
Expert Rationale: In authoritarian families, parents make all decisions and children have little input. This
can hinder the development of autonomy and independent decision-making. Democratic families
encourage participation and responsibility, while laissez-faire families offer complete freedom.
3. According to Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, which developmental task is the primary
challenge for a school-age child (6–12 years)?
,A) Trust versus mistrust
B) Initiative versus guilt
C) Industry versus inferiority
D) Identity versus role confusion
Correct Answer: Industry versus inferiority
Expert Rationale: Erikson identified industry versus inferiority as the psychosocial crisis for school-age
children (6–12 years). During this stage, children develop self-confidence through learning, competing,
and performing successfully. Trust versus mistrust occurs in infancy, initiative versus guilt in late
childhood (3–6 years), and identity versus role confusion in adolescence.
4. Which term refers to the fine hair covering the body of a newborn infant?
A) Vernix caseosa
B) Milia
C) Lanugo
D) Meconium
Correct Answer: Lanugo
Expert Rationale: Lanugo is the fine hair covering the newborn's body. Vernix caseosa is the white,
cheesy substance protecting the fetus's skin. Milia are small pearly white spots on the infant's nose,
chin, and forehead. Meconium is the first bowel movement, greenish-black and tarry.
5. A researcher is studying the progression of motor skills in infants. Which pattern of growth and
development explains why an infant gains head control before walking?
A) Proximodistal development
B) Cephalocaudal development
C) Reflexive development
D) Cognitive development
, Correct Answer: Cephalocaudal development
Expert Rationale: Cephalocaudal development describes growth that begins at the head and progresses
downward. This explains why infants gain head control before sitting and walking. Proximodistal
development progresses from the center outward. Reflexive and cognitive development are separate
developmental processes.
6. What is the primary function of the Moro (startle) reflex in a newborn?
A) To protect the infant from falling
B) To assist with breastfeeding
C) To enable the infant to grasp objects
D) To help the infant locate food sources
Correct Answer: To protect the infant from falling
Expert Rationale: The Moro reflex is a protective response to sudden movement or jarring, causing
extension and adduction of extremities. It is believed to be an evolutionary protective mechanism. The
rooting reflex assists with breastfeeding, and the grasp reflex enables object holding.
7. In the context of Piaget's cognitive development theory, which stage corresponds to the infant from
birth to approximately 2 years of age?
A) Preoperational stage
B) Sensorimotor stage
C) Concrete operations stage
D) Formal operations stage
Correct Answer: Sensorimotor stage
Expert Rationale: Piaget's sensorimotor stage spans birth to approximately 2 years. During this stage,
infants learn about the world through sensory experiences and motor actions. The preoperational stage
occurs from 2–6 years, concrete operations from 6–12 years, and formal operations from 12–15 years.
