Child Life Exam Child Life Therapeutic Play Interventions 2

Question 1

A child life specialist introduces medical play with real (safe) medical equipment to a 5-year-old before a blood draw. The PRIMARY therapeutic benefit of this intervention is:

Accepted Answer

Allowing the child to gain familiarity and mastery over feared objects in a safe, controlled context

Answer

Medical play allows children to explore, manipulate, and gain mastery over medical equipment in a non-threatening context, reducing fear of the unknown and building a sense of control.

Question 2

Which type of play is a child engaging in when they spontaneously act out giving injections to stuffed animals after returning from a hospital visit?

Accepted Answer

Dramatic or symbolic play with processing function

Answer

Spontaneous dramatic play about medical experiences serves a processing function, allowing the child to make sense of what happened by re-enacting and controlling the narrative.

Question 3

When facilitating therapeutic play with a child who has been physically abused, the child life specialist should:

Accepted Answer

Create a safe, non-directive play environment and observe the child's self-directed play themes while maintaining professional boundaries

Answer

Therapeutic play with abused children should be non-directive, allowing the child to express at their own pace in a safe environment, without pressure to disclose or re-enact trauma.

Question 4

Normalization play activities in the hospital—such as arts and crafts, games, and social activities—serve the PRIMARY purpose of:

Accepted Answer

Supporting typical developmental activities and maintaining a sense of normalcy during hospitalization

Answer

Normalization activities support continued development and help children maintain a sense of their normal identity and routines despite the disruption of hospitalization.

Question 5

A child life specialist selects a dollhouse with family figurines for a session with a child whose parents are going through a divorce. This choice of play material is based on the principle that:

Accepted Answer

Projective play materials allow children to express complex family dynamics and emotions that may be difficult to verbalize

Answer

Projective play materials like dollhouses and family figurines provide a safe medium for children to externalize and explore complex family situations and emotions.

Child Life Exam Practice Test

Child Life Exam Practice Test

Child Life Exam Child Life Therapeutic Play Interventions 2