MCCQE - Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Pediatric Growth and Development Questions and Answers

Question 1

A mother brings her 2-year-old son for a routine check-up.
She is concerned about his language development.
Which of the following findings would be most reassuring and considered a normal developmental milestone for his age?

Accepted Answer

He can combine two words to make simple phrases, such as 'more juice'.

Answer

He has a vocabulary of about 10 words and gestures for his needs.

Answer

He speaks in full, grammatically correct sentences.

Answer

He can name four primary colours correctly.

Question 2

During a well-child visit for a 13-year-old male, you note the presence of coarse, dark, curly pubic hair spread over the pubis, increased penile length and width, and testicular volume of approximately 12 mL. According to the Tanner stages, which stage of pubertal development does this describe?

Accepted Answer

Tanner Stage 3

Answer

Tanner Stage 2

Answer

Tanner Stage 4

Answer

Tanner Stage 5

Question 3

A 6-month-old infant is brought in for a developmental assessment. Which of the following primitive reflexes would be considered an abnormal finding if it is still strongly present?

Accepted Answer

Moro reflex

Answer

Plantar grasp

Answer

Babinski reflex

Answer

Landau reflex

Question 4

You are plotting the growth of a 4-year-old girl on a WHO growth chart. Her weight has been consistently tracking along the 50th percentile, but her height has just dropped from the 25th percentile to below the 3rd percentile over the last year. What is the most appropriate next step?

Accepted Answer

Initiate an investigation for an underlying cause of growth failure.

Answer

Reassure the parents that this is a normal growth variation.

Answer

Advise a high-calorie diet to promote catch-up growth.

Answer

Schedule a follow-up visit in one year to re-evaluate.

Question 5

Which of the following gross motor skills is typically the last to be achieved in a developing child?

Accepted Answer

Walks up stairs with alternating feet

Answer

Sits without support

Answer

Pulls to a stand

Answer

Rolls from prone to supine

Question 6

A new mother is concerned about her 4-month-old infant's fine motor skills. Which of the following observations would be an expected and appropriate milestone for this age?

Accepted Answer

Brings hands to midline and to the mouth.

Answer

Demonstrates a mature pincer grasp to pick up a small object.

Answer

Transfers an object from one hand to the other.

Answer

Builds a tower of two blocks.