NCLEX RN Growth and Development
Practice Exam 100 Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026
1. The nurse is assessing a 2-month-old infant. Which finding is most
appropriate for this developmental stage?
A. Walks independently
B. Uses two-word phrases
C. Smiles responsively
D. Transfers objects from one hand to the other
Answer: C. Smiles responsively
Rationale: A 2-month-old commonly develops a social smile and begins to
respond to caregivers. Independent walking, two-word phrases, and
transferring objects occur later.
2. Which developmental milestone should the nurse expect in a 4-month-old
infant?
A. Sits without support
B. Rolls from abdomen to back
C. Walks with assistance
D. Uses a pincer grasp
Answer: B. Rolls from abdomen to back
Rationale: Rolling from abdomen to back commonly develops around 4
months. Sitting independently, walking, and a mature pincer grasp occur
later.
,3. Which finding is expected in a 6-month-old infant?
A. Runs independently
B. Uses three-word sentences
C. Sits with minimal support
D. Copies a square
Answer: C. Sits with minimal support
Rationale: By about 6 months, infants can sit with support and are
developing trunk control. Running and copying shapes occur much later.
4. A nurse assesses an 8-month-old infant. Which finding is expected?
A. Hops on one foot
B. Uses an inferior pincer grasp
C. Speaks in complete sentences
D. Dresses independently
Answer: B. Uses an inferior pincer grasp
Rationale: Around 8–9 months, infants begin using an inferior or immature
pincer grasp. More refined fine-motor skills develop later.
5. Which developmental behavior is expected of a 9-month-old infant?
A. Plays cooperatively with peers
B. Stranger anxiety
C. Understands conservation
D. Uses abstract reasoning
Answer: B. Stranger anxiety
Rationale: Stranger anxiety commonly appears during late infancy as the
infant develops object permanence and recognizes familiar versus unfamiliar
people.
,6. Which milestone should the nurse expect in a 12-month-old child?
A. Rides a tricycle
B. Uses scissors accurately
C. Walks independently
D. Skips using alternating feet
Answer: C. Walks independently
Rationale: Many children begin walking independently around 12 months.
Tricycle riding, cutting with scissors, and skipping develop during the
preschool and school-age years.
7. Which behavior is characteristic of a 15-month-old toddler?
A. Reads simple words
B. Uses several single words
C. Ties shoelaces
D. Draws a recognizable person
Answer: B. Uses several single words
Rationale: Toddlers typically progress from single words to two-word
combinations. Complex language and advanced fine-motor skills occur later.
8. Which behavior would the nurse expect in an 18-month-old toddler?
A. Understands abstract concepts
B. Uses approximately 10–20 words
C. Writes their name
D. Plays organized team games
Answer: B. Uses approximately 10–20 words
Rationale: Vocabulary increases rapidly during the second year of life. Writing
and organized team activities require later cognitive and motor development.
9. Which activity is most appropriate for a 2-year-old child?
, A. Competitive board games
B. Complex puzzles with 100 pieces
C. Parallel play with another child
D. Organized soccer
Answer: C. Parallel play with another child
Rationale: Toddlers commonly engage in parallel play, in which children play
beside one another without substantial cooperative interaction.
10. Which statement about toddler development should the nurse include
when teaching parents?
A. Toddlers should consistently share toys.
B. Toddlers prefer cooperative group activities.
C. Toddlers commonly demonstrate negativism and want independence.
D. Toddlers have fully developed impulse control.
Answer: C. Toddlers commonly demonstrate negativism and want
independence.
Rationale: Toddlers are developing autonomy and frequently say “no” as they
seek independence and control.
11. Which developmental milestone is expected in a 3-year-old child?
A. Uses only two-word phrases
B. Rides a tricycle
C. Ties shoelaces
D. Skips smoothly
Answer: B. Rides a tricycle
Rationale: Pedaling a tricycle is a typical gross-motor milestone during the
preschool period.
12. Which language ability is expected in a 3-year-old child?
Practice Exam 100 Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026
1. The nurse is assessing a 2-month-old infant. Which finding is most
appropriate for this developmental stage?
A. Walks independently
B. Uses two-word phrases
C. Smiles responsively
D. Transfers objects from one hand to the other
Answer: C. Smiles responsively
Rationale: A 2-month-old commonly develops a social smile and begins to
respond to caregivers. Independent walking, two-word phrases, and
transferring objects occur later.
2. Which developmental milestone should the nurse expect in a 4-month-old
infant?
A. Sits without support
B. Rolls from abdomen to back
C. Walks with assistance
D. Uses a pincer grasp
Answer: B. Rolls from abdomen to back
Rationale: Rolling from abdomen to back commonly develops around 4
months. Sitting independently, walking, and a mature pincer grasp occur
later.
,3. Which finding is expected in a 6-month-old infant?
A. Runs independently
B. Uses three-word sentences
C. Sits with minimal support
D. Copies a square
Answer: C. Sits with minimal support
Rationale: By about 6 months, infants can sit with support and are
developing trunk control. Running and copying shapes occur much later.
4. A nurse assesses an 8-month-old infant. Which finding is expected?
A. Hops on one foot
B. Uses an inferior pincer grasp
C. Speaks in complete sentences
D. Dresses independently
Answer: B. Uses an inferior pincer grasp
Rationale: Around 8–9 months, infants begin using an inferior or immature
pincer grasp. More refined fine-motor skills develop later.
5. Which developmental behavior is expected of a 9-month-old infant?
A. Plays cooperatively with peers
B. Stranger anxiety
C. Understands conservation
D. Uses abstract reasoning
Answer: B. Stranger anxiety
Rationale: Stranger anxiety commonly appears during late infancy as the
infant develops object permanence and recognizes familiar versus unfamiliar
people.
,6. Which milestone should the nurse expect in a 12-month-old child?
A. Rides a tricycle
B. Uses scissors accurately
C. Walks independently
D. Skips using alternating feet
Answer: C. Walks independently
Rationale: Many children begin walking independently around 12 months.
Tricycle riding, cutting with scissors, and skipping develop during the
preschool and school-age years.
7. Which behavior is characteristic of a 15-month-old toddler?
A. Reads simple words
B. Uses several single words
C. Ties shoelaces
D. Draws a recognizable person
Answer: B. Uses several single words
Rationale: Toddlers typically progress from single words to two-word
combinations. Complex language and advanced fine-motor skills occur later.
8. Which behavior would the nurse expect in an 18-month-old toddler?
A. Understands abstract concepts
B. Uses approximately 10–20 words
C. Writes their name
D. Plays organized team games
Answer: B. Uses approximately 10–20 words
Rationale: Vocabulary increases rapidly during the second year of life. Writing
and organized team activities require later cognitive and motor development.
9. Which activity is most appropriate for a 2-year-old child?
, A. Competitive board games
B. Complex puzzles with 100 pieces
C. Parallel play with another child
D. Organized soccer
Answer: C. Parallel play with another child
Rationale: Toddlers commonly engage in parallel play, in which children play
beside one another without substantial cooperative interaction.
10. Which statement about toddler development should the nurse include
when teaching parents?
A. Toddlers should consistently share toys.
B. Toddlers prefer cooperative group activities.
C. Toddlers commonly demonstrate negativism and want independence.
D. Toddlers have fully developed impulse control.
Answer: C. Toddlers commonly demonstrate negativism and want
independence.
Rationale: Toddlers are developing autonomy and frequently say “no” as they
seek independence and control.
11. Which developmental milestone is expected in a 3-year-old child?
A. Uses only two-word phrases
B. Rides a tricycle
C. Ties shoelaces
D. Skips smoothly
Answer: B. Rides a tricycle
Rationale: Pedaling a tricycle is a typical gross-motor milestone during the
preschool period.
12. Which language ability is expected in a 3-year-old child?
