NCLEX Pediatric Nursing: Growth and Development 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A nurse assesses a 6-month-old infant. Which gross motor milestone is expected at this age?
- Sitting without support
- Rolling from back to front (Correct answer)
- Pulling to a stand
- Walking with one hand held
Correct answer: Rolling from back to front
By 6 months an infant can typically roll from back to front, while sitting unsupported emerges around 7-8 months.
Question 2: According to Erikson, what is the primary psychosocial task of infancy (birth to 1 year)?
- Autonomy vs. shame and doubt
- Trust vs. mistrust (Correct answer)
- Initiative vs. guilt
- Industry vs. inferiority
Correct answer: Trust vs. mistrust
Erikson identifies trust vs. mistrust as the central conflict of the first year, built through consistent caregiving.
Question 3: A 2-year-old says about 50 words and combines two words into phrases. The nurse interprets this as:
- Delayed language requiring referral
- Normal expressive language development (Correct answer)
- Advanced for age
- Sign of hearing impairment
Correct answer: Normal expressive language development
A 50-word vocabulary with two-word phrases is the expected language ability for a 2-year-old.
Question 4: When does an infant typically develop object permanence, understanding that hidden objects still exist?
- 1-2 months
- Around 9 months (Correct answer)
- 18 months
- By 3 years
Correct answer: Around 9 months
Object permanence develops around 8-9 months, which is why peek-a-boo becomes engaging and separation anxiety appears.
Question 5: A nurse teaches parents about a toddler's nutrition. Which statement reflects 'physiologic anorexia' of the toddler period?
- Toddlers need more calories than infants per kilogram
- Decreased appetite is normal as growth slows (Correct answer)
- Toddlers should be force-fed to ensure intake
- Appetite increases steadily through age 3
Correct answer: Decreased appetite is normal as growth slows
Growth slows after infancy, so toddlers experience a normal decrease in appetite known as physiologic anorexia.
Question 6: Which behavior demonstrates the parallel play characteristic of toddlers?
- Two toddlers building one tower together
- A toddler playing alone beside another toddler (Correct answer)
- A toddler following game rules
- A toddler sharing toys cooperatively
Correct answer: A toddler playing alone beside another toddler
Parallel play means toddlers play alongside but not with one another, typical of this developmental stage.
Question 7: A nurse evaluates head circumference growth. By what age does the anterior fontanel normally close?
- 2-3 months
- 6 months
- 12-18 months (Correct answer)
- 3 years
Correct answer: 12-18 months
The anterior fontanel typically closes between 12 and 18 months of age.
NCLEX Pediatric Nursing: Growth and Development 2
A nurse assesses a 6-month-old infant.
Which gross motor milestone is expected at this age?