Pediatric Nursing exam 1 practice with
questions and answers 100%Correctly
verified answers latest update 2025/2026
RATED A+
The nurse is seeing an adolescent and the parents in the clinic for the first time. Which should the nurse
do first?
a. Introduce him- or herself.
b. Make the family comfortable.
c. Give assurance of privacy.
d. Explain the purpose of the interview. - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: A
The first thing that nurses must do is to introduce themselves to the patient and family. Parents and
other adults should be addressed with appropriate titles unless they specify a preferred name.
Clarification of the purpose of the interview and the nurse's role is the second thing that should be
done. During the initial part of the interview, the nurse should include general conversation to help
make the family feel at ease. The interview also should take place in an environment as free of
distraction as possible. In addition, the nurse should clarify which information will be shared with other
members of the health care team and any limits to the confidentiality.
Which is considered a block to effective communication?
a. Using silence
b. Using clichés
c. Directing the focus
d. Defining the problem - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: B
Using stereotyped comments or clichés can block effective communication. After the nurse uses such
trite phrases, parents often do not respond. Silence can be an effective interviewing tool. Silence
permits the interviewee to sort out thoughts and feelings and search for responses to questions. To be
effective, the nurse must be able to direct the focus of the interview while allowing maximum freedom
of expression. By using open-ended questions and guiding questions, the nurse can obtain the necessary
information and maintain a relationship with the family. The nurse and parent must collaborate and
define the problem that will be the focus of the nursing intervention.
Which is the single most important factor to consider when communicating with children?
a. Presence of the child's parent
b. Child's physical condition
c. Child's developmental level
d. Child's nonverbal behaviors - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: C
The nurse must be aware of the child's developmental stage to engage in effective communication. The
use of both verbal and nonverbal communication should be appropriate to the developmental level.
Nonverbal behaviors vary in importance based on the child's developmental level and physical
condition. Although the child's physical condition is a consideration, developmental level is much more
important. The presence of parents is important when communicating with young children but may be
detrimental when speaking with adolescents.
,Because children younger than 5 years are egocentric, the nurse should do which when communicating
with them?
a. Focus communication on the child.
b. Use easy analogies when possible.
c. Explain experiences of others to the child.
d. Assure the child that communication is private - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: A
Because children of this age are able to see things only in terms of themselves, the best approach is to
focus communication directly on them. Children should be provided with information about what they
can do and how they will feel. With children who are egocentric, analogies, experiences, and assurances
that communication is private will not be effective because the child is not capable of understanding.
The nurse's approach when introducing hospital equipment to a preschooler who seems afraid should
be based on which principle?a. The child may think the equipment is alive.
b. Explaining the equipment will only increase the child's fear.
c. One brief explanation will be enough to reduce the child's fear.
d. The child is too young to understand what the equipment does. - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS:
A
Young children attribute human characteristics to inanimate objects. They often fear that the objects
may jump, bite, cut, or pinch all by themselves without human direction. Equipment should be kept out
of sight until needed. Simple, concrete explanations about what the equipment does and how it will feel
will help alleviate the child's fear. Preschoolers need repeated explanations as reassurance.
When the nurse interviews an adolescent, which is especially important?
a. Focus the discussion on the peer group.
b. Allow an opportunity to express feelings.
c. Use the same type of language as the adolescent.
d. Emphasize that confidentiality will always be maintained. - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: B
Adolescents, like all children, need opportunities to express their feelings. Often they interject feelings
into their words. The nurse must be alert to the words and feelings expressed. The nurse should
maintain a professional relationship with adolescents. To avoid misunderstanding or misinterpretation
of words and phrases used, the nurse should clarify the terms used, what information will be shared
with other members of the health care team, and any limits to confidentiality. Although the peer group
is important to this age group, the interview should focus on the adolescent.
The nurse is preparing to assess a 10-month-old infant. He is sitting on his father's lap and appears to be
afraid of the nurse and of what might happen next. Which initial actions by the nurse should be most
appropriate?
a. Initiate a game of peek-a-boo.
b. Ask the infant's father to place the infant on the examination table.
c. Talk softly to the infant while taking him from his father.
d. Undress the infant while he is still sitting on his father's lap. - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: A
Peek-a-boo is an excellent means of initiating communication with infants while maintaining a safe,
nonthreatening distance. The child will most likely become upset if separated from his father. As much
of the assessment as possible should be done with the child on the father's lap. The nurse should have
the father undress the child as needed during the examination.
An 8-year-old girl asks the nurse how the blood pressure apparatus works. The most appropriate nursing
action is which?
,a. Ask her why she wants to know.
b. Determine why she is so anxious.
c. Explain in simple terms how it works.
d. Tell her she will see how it works as it is used. - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: C
School-age children require explanations and reasons for everything. They are interested in the
functional aspect of all procedures, objects, and activities. It is appropriate for the nurse to explain how
equipment works and what will happen to the child so that the child can then observe during the
procedure. The nurse should respond positively for requests for information about procedures and
health information. By not responding, the nurse may be limiting communication with the child. The
child is not exhibiting anxiety in asking how the blood pressure apparatus works, just requesting
clarification of what will occur.
The nurse is having difficulty communicating with a hospitalized 6-year-old child. Which technique
should be most helpful?
a. Recommend that the child keep a diary.
b. Provide supplies for the child to draw a picture.
c. Suggest that the parent read fairy tales to the child.
d. Ask the parent if the child is always uncommunicative. - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: B
Drawing is one of the most valuable forms of communication. Children's drawings tell a great deal about
them because they are projections of the children's inner self. A diary should be difficult for a 6-year-old
child, who is most likely learning to read. The parent reading fairy tales to the child is a passive activity
involving the parent and child; it should not facilitate communication with the nurse. The child is in a
stressful situation and is probably uncomfortable with strangers, not always uncommunicative.
Which data should be included in a health history?
a. Review of systems
b. Physical assessment
c. Growth measurements
d. Record of vital signs - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: A
A review of systems is done to elicit information concerning any potential health problems. This further
guides the interview process. Physical assessment, growth measurements, and a record of vital signs are
components of the physical examination.
The nurse is taking a health history of an adolescent. Which best describes how the chief complaint
should be determined?
a. Request a detailed listing of symptoms.
b. Ask the adolescent, "Why did you come here today?"
c. Interview the parent away from the adolescent to determine the chief complaint.
d. Use what the adolescent says to determine, in correct medical terminology, what the problem is. -
CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: B
The chief complaint is the specific reason for the child's visit to the clinic, office, or hospital. Because the
adolescent is the focus of the history, this is an appropriate way to determine the chief complaint.
Requesting a detailed list of symptoms makes it difficult to determine the chief complaint. The parent
and adolescent may be interviewed separately, but the nurse should determine the reason the
adolescent is seeking attention at this time. The chief complaint is usually written in the words that the
parent or adolescent uses to describe the reason for seeking help.
, The nurse is interviewing the mother of an infant. The mother reports, "I had a difficult delivery, and my
baby was born prematurely." This information should be recorded under which heading?
a. History
b. Present illness
c. Chief complaint
d. Review of systems - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: A
The history refers to information that relates to previous aspects of the child's health, not to the current
problem. The difficult delivery and prematurity are important parts of the infant's history. The history of
the present illness is a narrative of the chief complaint from its earliest onset through its progression to
the present. Unless the chief complaint is directly related to the prematurity, this information is not
included in the history of the present illness. The chief complaint is the specific reason for the child's
visit to the clinic, office, or hospital. It should not include the birth information. The review of systems is
a specific review of each body system. It does not include the premature birth but might include
sequelae such as pulmonary dysfunction.
Where in the health history does a record of immunizations belong?
a. History
b. Present illness
c. Review of systems
d. Physical assessment - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: A
The history contains information relating to all previous aspects of the child's health status. The
immunizations are appropriately included in the history. The present illness, review of systems, and
physical assessment are not appropriate places to record the immunization status.
The nurse is taking a sexual history on an adolescent girl. Which is the best way to determine whether
she is sexually active?
a. Ask her, "Are you sexually active?"
b. Ask her, "Are you having sex with anyone?"
c. Ask her, "Are you having sex with a boyfriend?"
d. Ask both the girl and her parent if she is sexually active. - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: B
Asking the adolescent girl if she is having sex with anyone is a direct question that is well understood.
The phrase sexually active is broadly defined and may not provide specific information for the nurse to
provide necessary care. The word "anyone" is preferred to using gender-specific terms such as
"boyfriend" or "girlfriend." Using gender-neutral terms is inclusive and conveys acceptance to the
adolescent. Questioning about sexual activity should occur when the adolescent is alone.
When doing a nutritional assessment on a Hispanic family, the nurse learns that their diet consists
mainly of vegetables, legumes, and starches. The nurse should recognize that this diet is which?
a. Lacking in protein
b. Indicating they live in poverty
c. Providing sufficient amino acids
d. Needing enrichment with meat and milk - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: C
A diet that contains vegetables, legumes, and starches may provide sufficient essential amino acids even
though the actual amount of meat or dairy protein is low. Combinations of foods contain the essential
amino acids necessary for growth. Many cultures use diets that contain this combination of foods. It is
not indicative of poverty. A dietary assessment should be done, but many vegetarian diets are sufficient
for growth.
questions and answers 100%Correctly
verified answers latest update 2025/2026
RATED A+
The nurse is seeing an adolescent and the parents in the clinic for the first time. Which should the nurse
do first?
a. Introduce him- or herself.
b. Make the family comfortable.
c. Give assurance of privacy.
d. Explain the purpose of the interview. - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: A
The first thing that nurses must do is to introduce themselves to the patient and family. Parents and
other adults should be addressed with appropriate titles unless they specify a preferred name.
Clarification of the purpose of the interview and the nurse's role is the second thing that should be
done. During the initial part of the interview, the nurse should include general conversation to help
make the family feel at ease. The interview also should take place in an environment as free of
distraction as possible. In addition, the nurse should clarify which information will be shared with other
members of the health care team and any limits to the confidentiality.
Which is considered a block to effective communication?
a. Using silence
b. Using clichés
c. Directing the focus
d. Defining the problem - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: B
Using stereotyped comments or clichés can block effective communication. After the nurse uses such
trite phrases, parents often do not respond. Silence can be an effective interviewing tool. Silence
permits the interviewee to sort out thoughts and feelings and search for responses to questions. To be
effective, the nurse must be able to direct the focus of the interview while allowing maximum freedom
of expression. By using open-ended questions and guiding questions, the nurse can obtain the necessary
information and maintain a relationship with the family. The nurse and parent must collaborate and
define the problem that will be the focus of the nursing intervention.
Which is the single most important factor to consider when communicating with children?
a. Presence of the child's parent
b. Child's physical condition
c. Child's developmental level
d. Child's nonverbal behaviors - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: C
The nurse must be aware of the child's developmental stage to engage in effective communication. The
use of both verbal and nonverbal communication should be appropriate to the developmental level.
Nonverbal behaviors vary in importance based on the child's developmental level and physical
condition. Although the child's physical condition is a consideration, developmental level is much more
important. The presence of parents is important when communicating with young children but may be
detrimental when speaking with adolescents.
,Because children younger than 5 years are egocentric, the nurse should do which when communicating
with them?
a. Focus communication on the child.
b. Use easy analogies when possible.
c. Explain experiences of others to the child.
d. Assure the child that communication is private - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: A
Because children of this age are able to see things only in terms of themselves, the best approach is to
focus communication directly on them. Children should be provided with information about what they
can do and how they will feel. With children who are egocentric, analogies, experiences, and assurances
that communication is private will not be effective because the child is not capable of understanding.
The nurse's approach when introducing hospital equipment to a preschooler who seems afraid should
be based on which principle?a. The child may think the equipment is alive.
b. Explaining the equipment will only increase the child's fear.
c. One brief explanation will be enough to reduce the child's fear.
d. The child is too young to understand what the equipment does. - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS:
A
Young children attribute human characteristics to inanimate objects. They often fear that the objects
may jump, bite, cut, or pinch all by themselves without human direction. Equipment should be kept out
of sight until needed. Simple, concrete explanations about what the equipment does and how it will feel
will help alleviate the child's fear. Preschoolers need repeated explanations as reassurance.
When the nurse interviews an adolescent, which is especially important?
a. Focus the discussion on the peer group.
b. Allow an opportunity to express feelings.
c. Use the same type of language as the adolescent.
d. Emphasize that confidentiality will always be maintained. - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: B
Adolescents, like all children, need opportunities to express their feelings. Often they interject feelings
into their words. The nurse must be alert to the words and feelings expressed. The nurse should
maintain a professional relationship with adolescents. To avoid misunderstanding or misinterpretation
of words and phrases used, the nurse should clarify the terms used, what information will be shared
with other members of the health care team, and any limits to confidentiality. Although the peer group
is important to this age group, the interview should focus on the adolescent.
The nurse is preparing to assess a 10-month-old infant. He is sitting on his father's lap and appears to be
afraid of the nurse and of what might happen next. Which initial actions by the nurse should be most
appropriate?
a. Initiate a game of peek-a-boo.
b. Ask the infant's father to place the infant on the examination table.
c. Talk softly to the infant while taking him from his father.
d. Undress the infant while he is still sitting on his father's lap. - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: A
Peek-a-boo is an excellent means of initiating communication with infants while maintaining a safe,
nonthreatening distance. The child will most likely become upset if separated from his father. As much
of the assessment as possible should be done with the child on the father's lap. The nurse should have
the father undress the child as needed during the examination.
An 8-year-old girl asks the nurse how the blood pressure apparatus works. The most appropriate nursing
action is which?
,a. Ask her why she wants to know.
b. Determine why she is so anxious.
c. Explain in simple terms how it works.
d. Tell her she will see how it works as it is used. - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: C
School-age children require explanations and reasons for everything. They are interested in the
functional aspect of all procedures, objects, and activities. It is appropriate for the nurse to explain how
equipment works and what will happen to the child so that the child can then observe during the
procedure. The nurse should respond positively for requests for information about procedures and
health information. By not responding, the nurse may be limiting communication with the child. The
child is not exhibiting anxiety in asking how the blood pressure apparatus works, just requesting
clarification of what will occur.
The nurse is having difficulty communicating with a hospitalized 6-year-old child. Which technique
should be most helpful?
a. Recommend that the child keep a diary.
b. Provide supplies for the child to draw a picture.
c. Suggest that the parent read fairy tales to the child.
d. Ask the parent if the child is always uncommunicative. - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: B
Drawing is one of the most valuable forms of communication. Children's drawings tell a great deal about
them because they are projections of the children's inner self. A diary should be difficult for a 6-year-old
child, who is most likely learning to read. The parent reading fairy tales to the child is a passive activity
involving the parent and child; it should not facilitate communication with the nurse. The child is in a
stressful situation and is probably uncomfortable with strangers, not always uncommunicative.
Which data should be included in a health history?
a. Review of systems
b. Physical assessment
c. Growth measurements
d. Record of vital signs - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: A
A review of systems is done to elicit information concerning any potential health problems. This further
guides the interview process. Physical assessment, growth measurements, and a record of vital signs are
components of the physical examination.
The nurse is taking a health history of an adolescent. Which best describes how the chief complaint
should be determined?
a. Request a detailed listing of symptoms.
b. Ask the adolescent, "Why did you come here today?"
c. Interview the parent away from the adolescent to determine the chief complaint.
d. Use what the adolescent says to determine, in correct medical terminology, what the problem is. -
CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: B
The chief complaint is the specific reason for the child's visit to the clinic, office, or hospital. Because the
adolescent is the focus of the history, this is an appropriate way to determine the chief complaint.
Requesting a detailed list of symptoms makes it difficult to determine the chief complaint. The parent
and adolescent may be interviewed separately, but the nurse should determine the reason the
adolescent is seeking attention at this time. The chief complaint is usually written in the words that the
parent or adolescent uses to describe the reason for seeking help.
, The nurse is interviewing the mother of an infant. The mother reports, "I had a difficult delivery, and my
baby was born prematurely." This information should be recorded under which heading?
a. History
b. Present illness
c. Chief complaint
d. Review of systems - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: A
The history refers to information that relates to previous aspects of the child's health, not to the current
problem. The difficult delivery and prematurity are important parts of the infant's history. The history of
the present illness is a narrative of the chief complaint from its earliest onset through its progression to
the present. Unless the chief complaint is directly related to the prematurity, this information is not
included in the history of the present illness. The chief complaint is the specific reason for the child's
visit to the clinic, office, or hospital. It should not include the birth information. The review of systems is
a specific review of each body system. It does not include the premature birth but might include
sequelae such as pulmonary dysfunction.
Where in the health history does a record of immunizations belong?
a. History
b. Present illness
c. Review of systems
d. Physical assessment - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: A
The history contains information relating to all previous aspects of the child's health status. The
immunizations are appropriately included in the history. The present illness, review of systems, and
physical assessment are not appropriate places to record the immunization status.
The nurse is taking a sexual history on an adolescent girl. Which is the best way to determine whether
she is sexually active?
a. Ask her, "Are you sexually active?"
b. Ask her, "Are you having sex with anyone?"
c. Ask her, "Are you having sex with a boyfriend?"
d. Ask both the girl and her parent if she is sexually active. - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: B
Asking the adolescent girl if she is having sex with anyone is a direct question that is well understood.
The phrase sexually active is broadly defined and may not provide specific information for the nurse to
provide necessary care. The word "anyone" is preferred to using gender-specific terms such as
"boyfriend" or "girlfriend." Using gender-neutral terms is inclusive and conveys acceptance to the
adolescent. Questioning about sexual activity should occur when the adolescent is alone.
When doing a nutritional assessment on a Hispanic family, the nurse learns that their diet consists
mainly of vegetables, legumes, and starches. The nurse should recognize that this diet is which?
a. Lacking in protein
b. Indicating they live in poverty
c. Providing sufficient amino acids
d. Needing enrichment with meat and milk - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: C
A diet that contains vegetables, legumes, and starches may provide sufficient essential amino acids even
though the actual amount of meat or dairy protein is low. Combinations of foods contain the essential
amino acids necessary for growth. Many cultures use diets that contain this combination of foods. It is
not indicative of poverty. A dietary assessment should be done, but many vegetarian diets are sufficient
for growth.
