NCLEX Pediatric Nursing: Growth and Development

Question 1

A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old child. Which developmental milestone would the nurse expect to find?

Accepted Answer

Using 50+ words and combining 2-word phrases

Answer

At 2 years, children typically have a vocabulary of 50+ words and combine 2-word phrases ('more milk,' 'daddy go'). Walking with alternating feet on stairs develops around age 3. Sentences develop by age 3–4.

Question 2

A parent asks when their infant should receive the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine. The nurse should respond:

Accepted Answer

Within 24 hours of birth

Answer

The CDC recommends the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth for all newborns. This is especially important if the mother's hepatitis B status is unknown or positive.

Question 3

A nurse is caring for a child with epiglottitis. Which intervention should the nurse avoid?

Accepted Answer

Examining the throat with a tongue depressor to visualize the epiglottis

Answer

Direct inspection of the throat with a tongue depressor can cause laryngospasm and complete airway obstruction in epiglottitis. This is absolutely contraindicated and can be fatal.

Question 4

A nurse is caring for a child with croup (laryngotracheobronchitis). The child has a 'barky' cough and inspiratory stridor at rest. Which treatment is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Administer nebulized racemic epinephrine and oral/IM dexamethasone

Answer

Moderate-to-severe croup with stridor at rest is treated with nebulized racemic epinephrine (reduces edema) and dexamethasone (corticosteroid reduces inflammation). Croup is viral and does not require antibiotics.

Question 5

The nurse is performing a developmental assessment on a 4-month-old infant. Which finding would be cause for concern?

Accepted Answer

No social smile in response to caregiver

Answer

Social smiling (responsive smile to a caregiver's face) normally develops by 6–8 weeks. Absence of a social smile by 4 months is a developmental red flag requiring further evaluation.

NCLEX Practice Test

NCLEX Practice Test

NCLEX Pediatric Nursing: Growth and Development