Physical Development
At what age does a toddler typically begin walking with a wide stance?
A) 6-9 months
B) 10-15 months
C) 18-24 months
D) 30-36 months
B) 10-15 months
A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old toddler’s speech development. Which of the following is an expected milestone for this age?
A) Forming complete sentences with 5-6 words
B) Using simple words like “hi,” “milk please,” and “bye-bye”
C) Speaking in full paragraphs
D) Not responding to spoken requests
B) Using simple words like “hi,” “milk please,” and “bye-bye”
A 2-year-old refuses to let the nurse feed him and insists on using a spoon by himself, spilling food on the floor. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. “You’re too little to feed yourself; let me do it for you.”
B. “You’re making a mess, so I’ll take the spoon away.”
C. “Would you like to try feeding yourself with my help?”
D. “If you can’t eat neatly, you’ll go hungry.”
C: "Would you like to try feeding yourself with my help?"
What is the leading cause of death in children ages 1–3?
Drowning
A parent is concerned about their 18-month-old child's growing desire for independence, often wanting to do things "all by myself." According to Erikson's theory of child development, which stage is this child most likely in?
A) Prefers to play alone without interaction
B) Shows fear and hesitation to try new tasks
C) Attempts to dress self and make simple choices
D) Refuses to speak to strangers and hides behind parent
C) Attempts to dress self and make simple choices
A 2-year-old toddler’s average weight and height are approximately:
A) 20 lbs and 28 inches tall
B) 27 lbs and 34 inches tall
C) 30 lbs and 38 inches tall
D) 36 lbs and 40 inches tall
B) 27 lbs and 34 inches tall
When a 3-year-old toddler recognizes and names objects like “truck,” “baby doll,” and “toy box,” this demonstrates which cognitive ability?
A) Abstract reasoning
B) Object permanence
C) Recognition and differentiation
D) Time perception
C) Recognition and differentiation
A mother tells the nurse, “My 3-year-old is always asking ‘why’ questions, and it’s exhausting.” Which explanation should the nurse provide?
A. “It is normal; this is how preschoolers develop initiative and learn about their world.”
B. “You should discourage so many questions because it can lead to confusion.”
C. “You should redirect your child to quiet activities instead of answering questions.”
D. “It’s a sign of developmental delay; preschoolers shouldn’t ask so many questions.”
A. "It is normal; this is how preschoolers develop initiative and learn about their world."
Why are toddlers at high risk for recurrent ear infections?
Shorter and wider Eustachian tubes
During the assessment of a 4-year-old child, the nurse notes the child can follow simple instructions, hold a pencil, hop on one foot, and throw a ball. What is the nurse’s best interpretation of these findings?
A) The child’s developmental milestones are age appropriate.
B) The child is delayed and requires further evaluation.
C) The child is advanced for their age.
D) The child is experiencing anxiety related to school readiness.
A) The child’s developmental milestones are age appropriate.
Which of the following gross motor milestones would be expected in a 30-month-old child?
A) Walking up and down stairs with alternating feet
B) Jumping with both feet off the ground
C) Standing on one foot for 10 seconds
D) Running but unable to stop suddenly
B) Jumping with both feet off the ground
A preschooler says, “Mommy, do you remember when I was born? I went to the zoo!” The nurse understands this statement reflects:
A) Accurate understanding of time and sequencing
B) Difficulty understanding specific time concepts
C) Early development of abstract thinking
D) Delayed cognitive development
B) Difficulty understanding specific time concepts
A preschool child in the hospital says, “The monster made me sick.” What is the nurse’s best response?
A. “There are no such things as monsters.”
B. “Tell me more about this monster.”
C. “That’s silly; you’re sick from germs, not monsters.”
D. “If you’re scared of monsters, you should stop watching TV.”
B. “Tell me more about this monster.”
Toddlers and preschoolers are at high risk for poisoning when they gain access to these items:
Alcohol, prescription medications, and cleansers
A nurse is teaching parents about safety for their toddler who has just become more mobile. Which statement by the parents indicates a need for further teaching?
A) “We will install safety gates at the top and bottom of the stairs.”
B) “We’ll supervise the child at all times and keep small toys away.”
C) “It’s okay for the child to play with any toy as long as it looks safe.”
D) “We will cover electrical outlets and keep cleaning supplies locked.”
C) “It’s okay for the child to play with any toy as long as it looks safe.”
A nurse is educating parents about the physical development of their 4-year-old child. Which of the following statements is accurate?
A) The child’s “potbelly” is becoming more prominent.
B) The child’s average respiratory rate is approximately 35 breaths per minute.
C) The child’s vision is typically mature, at about 20/20 acuity.
D) The average weight is about 27 pounds at this age.
C) The child’s vision is typically mature, at about 20/20 acuity.
A nurse is educating parents about cognitive and emotional development in preschoolers (ages 4-5). Which statement should the nurse include?
A) Preschoolers have fully developed logical reasoning skills.
B) Nightmares and fears of monsters or abandonment are common and should be comforted.
C) Preschoolers do not question body parts or differences between boys and girls.
D) Curiosity about death and spirituality is unusual and concerning at this age.
B) Nightmares and fears of monsters or abandonment are common and should be comforted.
Which nursing intervention best supports a toddler’s psychosocial development in the hospital?
A. Encouraging the child to make simple choices, like juice or milk
B. Keeping the child on strict bedrest without choices
C. Discouraging attempts at self-feeding to avoid messes
D. Limiting interaction with parents during care
A. Encouraging the child to make simple choices, like juice or milk
According to the CDC, what vaccine is administered yearly to protect against a common viral illness in toddlers and preschoolers?
Influenza
The nurse is assessing the blood pressure of a 3-year-old child. According to guidelines, which factors should be considered when interpreting the blood pressure reading?
A) Age, gender, and height of the child
B) Weight and recent dietary intake
C) Time of day and emotional state of the child
D) Birth history and immunization status
A) Age, gender, and height of the child
A nurse is counseling parents of a 5-year-old who has recently started riding a bicycle. Which of the following statements about physical development at this age is correct?
A) The child’s respiratory rate is expected to be around 35 breaths per minute.
B) The child’s trunk and head proportions are becoming more balanced.
C) The “potbelly” appearance becomes more prominent.
D) The child’s fine motor skills are typically limited to grasping objects.
B) The child’s trunk and head proportions are becoming more balanced.
Which of the following behaviors demonstrates the transition from Piaget’s sensorimotor stage to the preconceptual phase in a toddler?
A) Recognizing dangerous activities and avoiding them
B) Forming multi-syllable words and beginning to understand instructions
C) Understanding the concept of time and past events accurately
D) Exhibiting abstract thought and logical reasoning
B) Forming multi-syllable words and beginning to understand instructions
A 4-year-old tells the nurse, “I’m going to be a firefighter when I grow up!” This statement reflects which developmental stage?
A. Trust vs. mistrust
B. Autonomy vs. shame and doubt
C. Initiative vs. guilt
D. Industry vs. inferiority
C. Initiative vs. guilt
What is the elimination issue, more common in males, that often resolves naturally as the bladder matures, though some cases may have neurological causes?
enuresis
A nurse is teaching parents about the use of antibiotics in young children. Which statement by the parent indicates correct understanding?
A) “I will give antibiotics if my child has a cold to help them get better faster.”
B) “I will complete the full course of antibiotics even if my child feels better.”
C) “Over-the-counter cold medicines are safe and effective for my 2-year-old.”
D) “If the antibiotics cause side effects, I can stop giving them immediately.”
B) “I will complete the full course of antibiotics even if my child feels better.”