Developmental Theories & Nursing Care
A nurse gives a hospitalized toddler two choices: "Do you want your medicine with juice or applesauce?" Which Erickson stage is the nurse supporting?
What is Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt?
A child starts using simple symbols, engages in pretend play, and cannot understand another person's point of view.
What is Piaget's Preoperational Stage?
A toddler says "NO!" when a nurse approaches with a blood pressure cuff. What is the BEST nursing response?
What is offer limited choices and maintain autonomy rather than forcing control struggles?
A newborn loses 8% of birth weight during the first week of life. Should the nurse be concerned?
What is No, this is an expected newborn finding?
Which theorist would focus on how a child's ability to reason changes over time?
Who is Piaget?
A 10-year-old patient proudly keeps track of their intake and output and enjoys helping with daily care. Which Erikson stage is being supported?
What is Industry vs. Inferiority?
A child understands that the same amount of water remains even when poured into a taller glass.
What is Concrete Operations?
A hospitalized preschooler is fearful of an IV insertion. Which intervention is most developmentally appropriate?
What is play therapy using dolls or stuffed animals?
A parent reports giving honey to a 6-month-old infant. What is the nursing concern?
What is risk for botulism?
Which theorist would focus most on trust, identity, and relationships?
Who is Erikson?
Parents report that their 2-year-old suddenly refuses foods previously enjoyed and wants the same food every day. What is the nurse's best response?
What is educating parents that food jags are common in toddlers and encouraging a variety of healthy choices?
An adolescent argues that a law should be changed because it unfairly affects a certain group of people.
What is Kohlberg's Stage 5: Social Contract Orientation?
A nurse is preparing different patient teaching approaches for a 5-year-old and a 15-year-old. Which patient is more capable of abstract reasoning?
Who is the 15-year-old adolescent in Piaget's formal operations stage?
A toddler's favorite meal is hot dogs cut into large round slices. What concern should the nurse address?
What is choking risk?
Which theorist would explain behavior primarily through unconscious drives and personality development?
Who is Freud?
A preschooler believes a hospitalization occurred because they were mean to their sibling last week. Which cognitive characteristic is most likely influencing this belief?
What is magical thinking?
A 7-month-old cries when a parent leaves the room but smiles when the parent returns.
What is development of attachment and separation anxiety during infancy?
A school-age child is hospitalized for 2 weeks. Which intervention best supports normal development?
What is allowing participation in care and maintaining school-related activities when possible?
A 13-month-old infant still has a small open anterior fontanel. What should the nurse conclude?
What is this is an expected finding because closure typically occurs around 12-18 months?
Which theorist would be most interested in why a teenager believes breaking an unfair law may be morally correct?
Who is Kholberg?
A nurse performs every task for a physically capable school-age child because it is faster. According to Erikson, what potential negative outcome could result?
What is inferiority due to lack of opportunities to develop competence?
A patient volunteers weekly at a school because they want to positively influence future generations.
What is Erikson's Generativity vs. Stagnation?
A nurse notices a 4-year-old begins bed-wetting after being hospitalized. What is the BEST interpretation?
What is regression as a coping response to stress?
A nurse is preparing discharge teaching for the parents of a 10-month-old infant. Which statement by the parents requires additional teaching?
A. "We'll continue breastmilk or formula for the first year."
B. "We'll avoid honey until after the first birthday."
C. "We'll start whole cow's milk this week."
D. "We'll watch for food sensitivities when introducing new foods."
What is "We'll start whole cow's milk this week"?
A nurse wants to know whether a child understands object permanence. Which theorist's work would be most helpful?
Who is Piaget?