Pediatric Nurse Exam Pediatric Nurse Growth and Development Milestones 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which gross motor skill is typically achieved first?
- Walking alone
- Standing alone briefly
- Cruising along furniture (Correct answer)
- Running
Correct answer: Cruising along furniture
Cruising (walking while holding onto furniture) develops around 9–10 months, before standing alone and walking independently.
Question 2: A toddler throws a tantrum when a parent sets a limit. Which nursing explanation is most accurate?
- The child has a behavioral disorder
- This reflects normal autonomy development (Correct answer)
- The parent is being too restrictive
- The child needs more discipline
Correct answer: This reflects normal autonomy development
Temper tantrums in toddlers are a normal expression of developing autonomy as children strive for independence.
Question 3: At what age does the anterior fontanel typically close?
- 2–4 months
- 6–8 months
- 12–18 months (Correct answer)
- 24–36 months
Correct answer: 12–18 months
The anterior fontanel normally closes between 12 and 18 months of age.
Question 4: Which is the BEST indicator of a child's overall growth and nutritional status over time?
- Head circumference
- Weight for age
- Height for age (Correct answer)
- Body mass index (BMI)
Correct answer: Height for age
Height (length) for age is the best long-term indicator of nutritional status, as linear growth is most sensitive to chronic malnutrition.
Question 5: A nurse notes a 10-month-old cannot sit without support. What is the most appropriate next step?
- Reassure parents this is within normal limits
- Encourage more tummy time
- Refer for developmental evaluation (Correct answer)
- Recheck at the 12-month visit
Correct answer: Refer for developmental evaluation
Independent sitting should be achieved by 6–8 months; failure to sit without support at 10 months warrants developmental evaluation.
Question 6: According to Kohlberg, a school-age child who follows rules to gain approval from peers is in which moral stage?
- Punishment-obedience orientation
- Instrumental purpose orientation
- Good boy/good girl orientation (Correct answer)
- Law and order orientation
Correct answer: Good boy/good girl orientation
The 'good boy/good girl' orientation (Stage 3) involves conforming to rules to gain social approval, typical of school-age children.
Question 7: A 6-year-old can print their name, tie their shoes, and count to 100. Which developmental domain does shoe-tying primarily reflect?
- Gross motor
- Fine motor (Correct answer)
- Cognitive
- Language
Correct answer: Fine motor
Tying shoelaces is a fine motor skill requiring dexterity and hand-eye coordination typically mastered around age 5–6.
Pediatric Nurse Exam Pediatric Nurse Growth and Development Milestones 5
Which gross motor skill is typically achieved first?