MCQs per Chapter
Pediatric Primary Care Test Bank & NCLEX-HESI
Review | Burns' 8th Edition
Question 1:
A 3-year-old comes for a well-child visit. The parent asks
whether the clinic visit is primarily to treat illnesses or to
prevent them. Which statement best reflects the distinction
between pediatric primary care and primary prevention?
A. Pediatric primary care is episodic—focused only on treating
acute illnesses—whereas primary prevention is a community
responsibility unrelated to clinic visits.
B. Pediatric primary care provides continuous, relationship-
based health supervision across developmental stages; primary
prevention refers to interventions (e.g., immunizations,
anticipatory guidance) that reduce risk before pathology occurs.
C. Pediatric primary care is limited to diagnosis and referral;
primary prevention is limited to screening tests done by public
health agencies.
D. Pediatric primary care and primary prevention are
interchangeable terms describing vaccination programs only.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: B is correct because pediatric primary care
encompasses ongoing, comprehensive, family-centered care
,across development and includes prevention (anticipatory
guidance, screening, immunizations) as core functions. Primary
prevention specifically refers to actions that prevent disease or
injury before it occurs (e.g., immunizations, safe-sleep
counseling, healthy nutrition). A is incorrect because primary
care is not merely episodic treatment and prevention is an
integral part of clinical visits. C is incorrect because primary care
includes diagnosis, management, prevention, and
coordination—not only referral. D is incorrect because both
terms are broader than vaccination programs and are not
synonymous. AAP
Question 2:
A new nurse in your pediatric clinic asks which clinicians
commonly provide pediatric primary care. Which answer best
describes the typical pediatric primary care workforce?
A. Only pediatricians provide primary care for children; nurse
practitioners and family physicians only do specialty care.
B. Pediatric primary care is provided by an interprofessional
team that commonly includes pediatricians, family physicians,
pediatric nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, and
behavioral health clinicians.
C. Primary care for children is limited to community health
workers and school nurses; licensed clinicians are only for
hospital care.
D. Only subspecialists (cardiology, endocrinology) are trained to
provide preventive primary care for children with complex
needs.
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: B is correct because pediatric primary care is
delivered by a multidisciplinary team—pediatricians, family
medicine clinicians, pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs), PAs,
nurses, behavioral health specialists, and allied health staff—
working together to provide preventive care, acute care, care
coordination, and family support. A is incorrect because nurse
practitioners and family physicians are integral primary care
providers. C is incorrect because while community health
workers/school nurses contribute, licensed clinicians deliver
comprehensive primary care. D is incorrect because
subspecialists augment care for complex conditions but are not
the usual providers of routine primary care.
Question 3:
A 9-month-old with feeding refusal is brought in by parents who
are highly anxious and searching online for causes. Using a
developmental lens, which clinician approach most aligns with
pediatric primary care principles?
A. Provide a quick medical exam and prescribe a medication to
stop the feeding refusal.
B. Use developmentally informed assessment (feeding history,
caregiver–infant interaction), offer anticipatory guidance about
feeding development, and connect the family with feeding
resources if needed.
C. Refer immediately to ENT and gastroenterology for invasive
testing before discussing behavioral or family factors.
D. Tell the parents their anxiety is unrelated and focus only on
, the infant’s weight on the growth chart.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: B is correct because a developmental approach
considers the child’s growth and stage, caregiver–child
interaction, and family context; it emphasizes assessment,
anticipatory guidance, and linkage to supports (feeding
specialists, lactation consultants) as appropriate. A is incorrect
because reflexively prescribing medication ignores
developmental and contextual contributors. C is incorrect
because immediate invasive referral without initial
developmental and behavioral assessment is premature. D is
incorrect because parental anxiety and family dynamics
influence feeding and must be addressed in primary care.
Question 4:
During a 2-week well-baby visit, the mother reports difficulty
breastfeeding and symptoms consistent with postpartum
depression while the infant has poor weight gain and a weak
latch. According to the two-generation (dual patient) model,
what is the most appropriate immediate plan?
A. Focus solely on the infant’s feeding and weight; maternal
issues can be addressed later by obstetrics.
B. Screen the mother for postpartum depression, assess and
support breastfeeding, and coordinate care/referral for both
mother and infant as interdependent patients.
C. Advise the mother to stop breastfeeding immediately and
schedule the infant for formula feeding without addressing
maternal mood.