,Drexel NURS 328 Exam 1 | Pediatric Health Concepts
(2026) Q&A
1. A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old child. According to Erikson, this child is in which
stage of psychosocial development?
A) Trust versus mistrust
B) Autonomy versus shame and doubt
C) Initiative versus guilt
D) Industry versus inferiority
Correct Answer: Autonomy versus shame and doubt
Rationale: According to Erikson's theory, toddlers (ages 1-3 years) are in the
autonomy versus shame and doubt stage. During this stage, children begin to assert
their independence and develop a sense of personal control. Successful resolution
leads to feelings of autonomy, while failure results in feelings of shame and doubt.
2. A 6-month-old infant is exhibiting stranger anxiety. According to Piaget, this
behavior is consistent with which stage of cognitive development?
A) Sensorimotor
B) Preoperational
C) Concrete operational
D) Formal operational
Correct Answer: Sensorimotor
Rationale: According to Piaget, infants in the sensorimotor stage (birth to 2 years)
develop object permanence, which is the understanding that objects continue to
,exist even when out of sight. Stranger anxiety typically emerges at 6-8 months as
infants develop this cognitive milestone and can recognize familiar versus unfamiliar
faces.
3. A 3-year-old child is demonstrating magical thinking. According to Piaget, this is
characteristic of which stage?
A) Sensorimotor
B) Preoperational
C) Concrete operational
D) Formal operational
Correct Answer: Preoperational
Rationale: During the preoperational stage (ages 2-7 years), children engage in
magical thinking, believing their thoughts can influence events. They are egocentric
and have difficulty understanding the perspectives of others. This stage is
characterized by symbolic play and language development.
4. A nurse is assessing a school-age child's development according to Erikson. The
primary developmental task for this age is:
A) Autonomy versus shame and doubt
B) Initiative versus guilt
C) Industry versus inferiority
D) Identity versus role confusion
Correct Answer: Industry versus inferiority
Rationale: According to Erikson, the school-age child (approximately 6-12 years) is in
the industry versus inferiority stage. Children develop a sense of competence and
, achievement through school, activities, and social interactions. Failure to develop
these skills can lead to feelings of inferiority.
5. A newborn infant is exhibiting the Moro reflex. The nurse understands that this
reflex typically disappears by what age?
A) 2 months
B) 4-6 months
C) 8 months
D) 12 months
Correct Answer: 4-6 months
Rationale: The Moro (startle) reflex is present at birth and typically disappears by 4-6
months. Persistence beyond this age may indicate neurological impairment. Other
primitive reflexes such as rooting, sucking, and palmar grasp also integrate during
the first 4-6 months.
6. A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to parents of a 12-month-old infant.
Which fine motor skill is expected at this age?
A) Using a pincer grasp
B) Stacking two blocks
C) Scribbling
D) Using a spoon
Correct Answer: Using a pincer grasp
Rationale: By 12 months, most infants can use a pincer grasp (thumb and forefinger)
to pick up small objects. Stacking two blocks typically occurs around 15-18 months.
(2026) Q&A
1. A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old child. According to Erikson, this child is in which
stage of psychosocial development?
A) Trust versus mistrust
B) Autonomy versus shame and doubt
C) Initiative versus guilt
D) Industry versus inferiority
Correct Answer: Autonomy versus shame and doubt
Rationale: According to Erikson's theory, toddlers (ages 1-3 years) are in the
autonomy versus shame and doubt stage. During this stage, children begin to assert
their independence and develop a sense of personal control. Successful resolution
leads to feelings of autonomy, while failure results in feelings of shame and doubt.
2. A 6-month-old infant is exhibiting stranger anxiety. According to Piaget, this
behavior is consistent with which stage of cognitive development?
A) Sensorimotor
B) Preoperational
C) Concrete operational
D) Formal operational
Correct Answer: Sensorimotor
Rationale: According to Piaget, infants in the sensorimotor stage (birth to 2 years)
develop object permanence, which is the understanding that objects continue to
,exist even when out of sight. Stranger anxiety typically emerges at 6-8 months as
infants develop this cognitive milestone and can recognize familiar versus unfamiliar
faces.
3. A 3-year-old child is demonstrating magical thinking. According to Piaget, this is
characteristic of which stage?
A) Sensorimotor
B) Preoperational
C) Concrete operational
D) Formal operational
Correct Answer: Preoperational
Rationale: During the preoperational stage (ages 2-7 years), children engage in
magical thinking, believing their thoughts can influence events. They are egocentric
and have difficulty understanding the perspectives of others. This stage is
characterized by symbolic play and language development.
4. A nurse is assessing a school-age child's development according to Erikson. The
primary developmental task for this age is:
A) Autonomy versus shame and doubt
B) Initiative versus guilt
C) Industry versus inferiority
D) Identity versus role confusion
Correct Answer: Industry versus inferiority
Rationale: According to Erikson, the school-age child (approximately 6-12 years) is in
the industry versus inferiority stage. Children develop a sense of competence and
, achievement through school, activities, and social interactions. Failure to develop
these skills can lead to feelings of inferiority.
5. A newborn infant is exhibiting the Moro reflex. The nurse understands that this
reflex typically disappears by what age?
A) 2 months
B) 4-6 months
C) 8 months
D) 12 months
Correct Answer: 4-6 months
Rationale: The Moro (startle) reflex is present at birth and typically disappears by 4-6
months. Persistence beyond this age may indicate neurological impairment. Other
primitive reflexes such as rooting, sucking, and palmar grasp also integrate during
the first 4-6 months.
6. A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to parents of a 12-month-old infant.
Which fine motor skill is expected at this age?
A) Using a pincer grasp
B) Stacking two blocks
C) Scribbling
D) Using a spoon
Correct Answer: Using a pincer grasp
Rationale: By 12 months, most infants can use a pincer grasp (thumb and forefinger)
to pick up small objects. Stacking two blocks typically occurs around 15-18 months.
