Maternal Child Growth & Development
Exam Questions with Correct Answers
The nurse discusses dental care with the parents of a 3-year-old. The nurse explains
that by the age of 3, their child should have:
1. 5 "temporary" teeth.
2. 10 "temporary" teeth.
3. 15 "temporary" teeth.
4. 20 "temporary" teeth. - Answer-Answer: 4-20 "temporary teeth"
Children have 20 deciduous teeth that erupt between 6 months and 24 months of age.
The deciduous teeth are lost beginning at age 6 years through age 12, and they are
replaced by permanent teeth. The other choices are incorrect because they reflect a
stage of growth that the child should have passed by the age of 3 years.
The mother of a 6-month-old infant is concerned that the infant's anterior fontanel is still
open. The nurse would explain to the mother that further eval- uation is needed if the
anterior fontanel is still open after:
1. 6 months.
2. 10 months.
3. 18 months.
4. 12 months. - Answer-Answer: 3- 18months
Fontanels are inspected and palpated for size, tenseness, and pulsation. The anterior
fontanel should be soft, flat, and pulsatile with the child in the sitting position. The
anterior fontanel should be com- pletely closed by age 12 to 18 months. If the fontanel
is found to be open after 18 months, the child is referred for further evaluation.
The 9-year-old child is at the 98th percentile for weight and at the 40th percentile for
height. The school nurse determines that this child is:
1. Underweight or small in stature.
2. Overweight or large in stature.
3. Experiencing a prepubescent growth spurt.
4. Normal for size. - Answer-Answer: 2 -Overweight or Large in Stature
The NCHS growth charts use the 5th and
95th percentiles as criteria for determining those chil- dren who fall outside the normal
limits for growth. Children whose height and weight are above the 95th percentile are
considered overweight or large for stature. Prepubescent growth spurts are between 10
to 12 years for girls and 12 to 14 years for boys. This is not a normal proportion for
height and weight for this 9-year-old.
,In discussing sexual maturation with a health class, the nurse would include the
information that secondary sex characteristics begin to appear at:
1. 10 years in girls, 12 years in boys.
2. 12 years in girls, 16 years in boys.
3. 8 years in boys, 10 years in girls.
4. 12 years in girls and boys. - Answer-Answer: 1 - 10 years in girls, 12 years in boys
Secondary sex characteristics begin at 10 to 12 years for girls and 12 to 14 years for
boys. The growth in girls is accompanied by an increase in breast size, development of
pubic hair, and lastly menstrua- tion. In boys, the growth spurt includes growth in size of
the penis and testes, and pubic hair development.
The nurse has discussed with a group of new mothers appropriate support of the young
infant to prevent injuries from falls. The mother who needs further education is the
mother who states:
1. "My baby is not allowed to crawl or play near the stairs."
2. "I never leave my baby unattended on my bed."
3. "By the time my baby is 6 months old, he will be able to sit without support."
4. "Before my child is standing, I need to place the crib mattress at its lowest level." -
Answer-Answer: 3 - "By the time my baby is 6 months old, he will be able to sit without
support."
By age 8 months, infants can sit well while un- supported. Infants can now explore their
environment. Avoid playing near stairs and fence stairways. At age 4 months, the infant
rolls over; by age 6 months, the baby sits with support, and at age 12 months, the baby
stands, cruises around furniture, and walks with one hand held.
A recently hospitalized 2-year-old client screams and shouts that he wants a "bottle."
His parents are puz- zled, and state that he has been drinking from a cup for the past
year. The nurse explains that:
1. Irritability is exhibited in all age groups.
2. Temper tantrums often represent the child's need for parental attention.
3. Various forms of punishment are necessary when such behaviors occur.
4. Regression to an earlier behavior often helps the child cope with stress and anxiety. -
Answer-Answer: 4 - Regression to an earlier behavior often helps the child cope with
stress and anxiety.
Regression usually occurs in instances of stress when the child attempts to cope by
reverting to patterns of behavior from earlier stages of develop- ment. Regression is
common in toddlers; it lessens the threat of illness, hospitalization, or separation. A
need to revert to use of the bottle, refusal to use the potty, or temper tantrums represent
forms of behaviors exhib- ited as regression. It should be explained to parents that
, regression is a temporary coping mechanism; the best approach is to ignore it and
praise appropriate behav- ior. Any form of punishment is not advisable.
A friend is shopping for a toy to give to her nephew. The friend knows nothing about
children and asks what would be the most appropriate toy to give an 18-month-old child.
Based on growth and develop- mental skills, the nurse recommends a: (Select all that
apply.)
1. Rocking horse.
2. Music box.
3. Pull toy.
4. Stuffed animal.
5. Cloth or cardboard book. - Answer-Answers: 1 - Rocking Horse, 3 - Pull Toy, 5 -
Cloth or Cardboard Book
Music boxes and stuffed toys are appro- priate for an infant. The preschooler will enjoy
coloring books and crayons. The 18-month-old child will enjoy toys that encourage or
allow movement, such as the rocking horse and push or pull toys. Quiet activities can
include toddler books, usually made of cloth or card- board.
The nurse is preparing an 8-year-old child for a pro- cedure. What is the most
appropriate nursing inter- vention considering the child's stage of growth and
development?
1. Provide visual aids, such as dolls, puppets, and diagrams in the explanation.
2. Provide a written pamphlet for the child to review prior to the procedure.
3. Discourage any display of emotional outbursts.
4. Request that parents wait outside while the nurse provides instructions to the child. -
Answer-Answer: 1 - Provide visual aids, such as dolls, puppets, and diagrams in the
explanation.
Visual aids such as doll, puppets, and outlines of the body can be used to illustrate the
cause and treatment of the child's illness. Use of such equipment provides information
for the school-age child to under- stand and cope with feelings about the procedure.
Writ- ten pamphlets should be given to the parents to review prior to the procedure.
Children should be allowed to cry or verbalize their feelings without guilt as long as they
hold still. Parents should be given a choice to ac- company their child during the
procedure.
The nurse explains to new parents that the American Academy of Pediatrics
recommends iron-fortified formula be continued in a child's dietary intake up until what
age?
1. 6 months
2. 12 months
3. 18 months
Exam Questions with Correct Answers
The nurse discusses dental care with the parents of a 3-year-old. The nurse explains
that by the age of 3, their child should have:
1. 5 "temporary" teeth.
2. 10 "temporary" teeth.
3. 15 "temporary" teeth.
4. 20 "temporary" teeth. - Answer-Answer: 4-20 "temporary teeth"
Children have 20 deciduous teeth that erupt between 6 months and 24 months of age.
The deciduous teeth are lost beginning at age 6 years through age 12, and they are
replaced by permanent teeth. The other choices are incorrect because they reflect a
stage of growth that the child should have passed by the age of 3 years.
The mother of a 6-month-old infant is concerned that the infant's anterior fontanel is still
open. The nurse would explain to the mother that further eval- uation is needed if the
anterior fontanel is still open after:
1. 6 months.
2. 10 months.
3. 18 months.
4. 12 months. - Answer-Answer: 3- 18months
Fontanels are inspected and palpated for size, tenseness, and pulsation. The anterior
fontanel should be soft, flat, and pulsatile with the child in the sitting position. The
anterior fontanel should be com- pletely closed by age 12 to 18 months. If the fontanel
is found to be open after 18 months, the child is referred for further evaluation.
The 9-year-old child is at the 98th percentile for weight and at the 40th percentile for
height. The school nurse determines that this child is:
1. Underweight or small in stature.
2. Overweight or large in stature.
3. Experiencing a prepubescent growth spurt.
4. Normal for size. - Answer-Answer: 2 -Overweight or Large in Stature
The NCHS growth charts use the 5th and
95th percentiles as criteria for determining those chil- dren who fall outside the normal
limits for growth. Children whose height and weight are above the 95th percentile are
considered overweight or large for stature. Prepubescent growth spurts are between 10
to 12 years for girls and 12 to 14 years for boys. This is not a normal proportion for
height and weight for this 9-year-old.
,In discussing sexual maturation with a health class, the nurse would include the
information that secondary sex characteristics begin to appear at:
1. 10 years in girls, 12 years in boys.
2. 12 years in girls, 16 years in boys.
3. 8 years in boys, 10 years in girls.
4. 12 years in girls and boys. - Answer-Answer: 1 - 10 years in girls, 12 years in boys
Secondary sex characteristics begin at 10 to 12 years for girls and 12 to 14 years for
boys. The growth in girls is accompanied by an increase in breast size, development of
pubic hair, and lastly menstrua- tion. In boys, the growth spurt includes growth in size of
the penis and testes, and pubic hair development.
The nurse has discussed with a group of new mothers appropriate support of the young
infant to prevent injuries from falls. The mother who needs further education is the
mother who states:
1. "My baby is not allowed to crawl or play near the stairs."
2. "I never leave my baby unattended on my bed."
3. "By the time my baby is 6 months old, he will be able to sit without support."
4. "Before my child is standing, I need to place the crib mattress at its lowest level." -
Answer-Answer: 3 - "By the time my baby is 6 months old, he will be able to sit without
support."
By age 8 months, infants can sit well while un- supported. Infants can now explore their
environment. Avoid playing near stairs and fence stairways. At age 4 months, the infant
rolls over; by age 6 months, the baby sits with support, and at age 12 months, the baby
stands, cruises around furniture, and walks with one hand held.
A recently hospitalized 2-year-old client screams and shouts that he wants a "bottle."
His parents are puz- zled, and state that he has been drinking from a cup for the past
year. The nurse explains that:
1. Irritability is exhibited in all age groups.
2. Temper tantrums often represent the child's need for parental attention.
3. Various forms of punishment are necessary when such behaviors occur.
4. Regression to an earlier behavior often helps the child cope with stress and anxiety. -
Answer-Answer: 4 - Regression to an earlier behavior often helps the child cope with
stress and anxiety.
Regression usually occurs in instances of stress when the child attempts to cope by
reverting to patterns of behavior from earlier stages of develop- ment. Regression is
common in toddlers; it lessens the threat of illness, hospitalization, or separation. A
need to revert to use of the bottle, refusal to use the potty, or temper tantrums represent
forms of behaviors exhib- ited as regression. It should be explained to parents that
, regression is a temporary coping mechanism; the best approach is to ignore it and
praise appropriate behav- ior. Any form of punishment is not advisable.
A friend is shopping for a toy to give to her nephew. The friend knows nothing about
children and asks what would be the most appropriate toy to give an 18-month-old child.
Based on growth and develop- mental skills, the nurse recommends a: (Select all that
apply.)
1. Rocking horse.
2. Music box.
3. Pull toy.
4. Stuffed animal.
5. Cloth or cardboard book. - Answer-Answers: 1 - Rocking Horse, 3 - Pull Toy, 5 -
Cloth or Cardboard Book
Music boxes and stuffed toys are appro- priate for an infant. The preschooler will enjoy
coloring books and crayons. The 18-month-old child will enjoy toys that encourage or
allow movement, such as the rocking horse and push or pull toys. Quiet activities can
include toddler books, usually made of cloth or card- board.
The nurse is preparing an 8-year-old child for a pro- cedure. What is the most
appropriate nursing inter- vention considering the child's stage of growth and
development?
1. Provide visual aids, such as dolls, puppets, and diagrams in the explanation.
2. Provide a written pamphlet for the child to review prior to the procedure.
3. Discourage any display of emotional outbursts.
4. Request that parents wait outside while the nurse provides instructions to the child. -
Answer-Answer: 1 - Provide visual aids, such as dolls, puppets, and diagrams in the
explanation.
Visual aids such as doll, puppets, and outlines of the body can be used to illustrate the
cause and treatment of the child's illness. Use of such equipment provides information
for the school-age child to under- stand and cope with feelings about the procedure.
Writ- ten pamphlets should be given to the parents to review prior to the procedure.
Children should be allowed to cry or verbalize their feelings without guilt as long as they
hold still. Parents should be given a choice to ac- company their child during the
procedure.
The nurse explains to new parents that the American Academy of Pediatrics
recommends iron-fortified formula be continued in a child's dietary intake up until what
age?
1. 6 months
2. 12 months
3. 18 months
