PREPARATION WITH COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES | ALREADY GRADED A+|
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SECTION 1: PEDIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH AND BEHAVIORAL DISORDERS
(Questions 1-40)
1. A nurse is assessing a 10-year-old child who has been diagnosed with attention-
deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Which of the following findings is most
consistent with this diagnosis?
A) Extreme fear of social situations
B) Difficulty sustaining attention and frequent interrupting
C) Repetitive, ritualistic behaviors
D) Excessive worry about school performance
Answer: B
Rationale: ADHD is characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention,
hyperactivity, and impulsivity that interferes with functioning. Difficulty sustaining
attention and frequent interrupting are hallmark symptoms. Social phobia is
characterized by extreme fear of social situations. Repetitive behaviors are more
consistent with autism spectrum disorder. Excessive worry suggests an anxiety
disorder.
2. A nurse is educating the parents of a child diagnosed with ADHD about
medication management. Which of the following statements by the parent
indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "We will give the medication at the same time every day."
B) "We will monitor for side effects like decreased appetite and sleep
disturbances."
C) "We will stop the medication immediately if we notice any side effects."
D) "We will keep a log of the child's behavior and medication effects."
Answer: C
Rationale: Medications for ADHD (e.g., stimulants) should not be stopped
abruptly without healthcare provider guidance, as this can lead to withdrawal
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,symptoms or a sudden return of symptoms. Parents should be taught to
communicate side effects to the provider rather than discontinuing medication on
their own. The other statements reflect appropriate understanding of medication
management.
3. A nurse is caring for a 15-year-old adolescent with major depressive disorder.
Which of the following assessment findings should the nurse prioritize?
A) Reports of feeling sad most of the time
B) Statements about wanting to hurt oneself
C) Difficulty sleeping and poor appetite
D) Withdrawal from friends and family
Answer: B
Rationale: Statements about wanting to hurt oneself indicate suicidal ideation,
which is the priority concern. While sadness, sleep disturbances, appetite
changes, and social withdrawal are all signs of depression, suicidal ideation
requires immediate intervention to ensure the adolescent's safety.
4. A nurse is providing teaching to the parents of a child with autism spectrum
disorder (ASD). Which of the following strategies should the nurse recommend to
promote communication?
A) Use complex sentences to challenge the child
B) Maintain a consistent routine and use visual supports
C) Avoid eye contact to reduce anxiety
D) Speak loudly to get the child's attention
Answer: B
Rationale: Children with ASD often benefit from structured routines and visual
supports (e.g., picture schedules, social stories) to enhance communication and
reduce anxiety. Complex sentences can be overwhelming, and avoiding eye
contact is not recommended. Speaking loudly does not improve comprehension
for children with ASD.
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,5. A nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child who has been experiencing nightmares
and bedwetting following a traumatic event. These symptoms are most consistent
with which of the following conditions?
A) Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
B) Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
C) Oppositional defiant disorder
D) Separation anxiety disorder
Answer: B
Rationale: In young children, PTSD can present with nightmares, regression (e.g.,
bedwetting), hypervigilance, and avoidance of reminders of the traumatic event.
ADHD involves inattention and hyperactivity; ODD involves a pattern of defiant
behavior; separation anxiety involves excessive fear of being away from
caregivers.
6. A nurse is planning care for a child with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Which of the following interventions is most appropriate?
A) Allowing the child to perform rituals to reduce anxiety
B) Gradually limiting the time allowed for rituals
C) Punishing the child for performing rituals
D) Ignoring the child's compulsive behaviors
Answer: B
Rationale: Cognitive-behavioral therapy with exposure and response prevention is
the gold standard for OCD. Gradually limiting the time for rituals while providing
support helps the child learn to manage anxiety without performing compulsions.
Allowing rituals reinforces the behavior, punishment is not therapeutic, and
ignoring does not address the underlying anxiety.
7. A nurse is assessing a 7-year-old child with enuresis. Which of the following
findings would indicate the need for further evaluation?
A) The child wets the bed 2-3 times per week
B) The child has daytime wetting and a history of urinary tract infections
C) The child's parents report that the child has never been dry at night
D) The child is 5 years old and wets the bed occasionally
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, Answer: B
Rationale: Daytime wetting (diurnal enuresis) and a history of UTIs may indicate
an underlying anatomical or neurological abnormality that requires further
evaluation. Nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting) is common in children under 5-6
years of age and may not require extensive workup if isolated.
8. A nurse is providing education to the parents of a child with a new diagnosis of
generalized anxiety disorder. Which of the following statements by the parents
indicates understanding of the condition?
A) "We should push our child to face all fears immediately."
B) "We should help our child identify triggers and practice relaxation techniques."
C) "We should tell our child to stop worrying so much."
D) "We should avoid discussing the anxiety to prevent upsetting the child."
Answer: B
Rationale: Helping the child identify anxiety triggers and practice coping strategies
(e.g., deep breathing, positive self-talk) is an effective approach. Pushing the child
to face all fears can be overwhelming and counterproductive. Telling a child to
stop worrying minimizes their feelings, and avoiding discussion does not address
the underlying issue.
9. A nurse is caring for a 12-year-old child with a history of anorexia nervosa.
Which of the following assessment findings is most concerning?
A) Body mass index (BMI) at the 15th percentile
B) Heart rate of 52 beats per minute
C) Complaints of feeling cold
D) Fine, downy hair on the arms and back
Answer: B
Rationale: Bradycardia (heart rate < 60 bpm in a 12-year-old) is a sign of severe
malnutrition and cardiac compromise in anorexia nervosa. This finding requires
immediate intervention. While low BMI, feeling cold, and lanugo hair are all
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