Pediatric Nurse Exam Pediatric Nurse Psychosocial and Mental Health 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A 10-year-old refuses to attend school for three weeks, complaining of stomachaches each morning that resolve by afternoon. The nurse should recognize this as a sign of:
- Malingering to avoid homework
- School avoidance related to anxiety (Correct answer)
- Organic gastrointestinal disorder
- Attention-seeking behavior
Correct answer: School avoidance related to anxiety
Somatic complaints that resolve once the school day passes are a classic presentation of school avoidance driven by anxiety.
Question 2: When using therapeutic play with a 6-year-old prior to a painful procedure, the primary goal is to:
- Distract the child until the procedure is complete
- Reduce anxiety by giving the child a sense of control and understanding (Correct answer)
- Entertain the child to improve cooperation
- Assess the child's cognitive developmental level
Correct answer: Reduce anxiety by giving the child a sense of control and understanding
Therapeutic play reduces anxiety and helps children process experiences by providing age-appropriate control and understanding.
Question 3: A nurse is caring for a 14-year-old with anorexia nervosa. Which nursing priority takes precedence?
- Addressing body image disturbance
- Monitoring for cardiac dysrhythmias (Correct answer)
- Encouraging peer socialization
- Providing nutrition education
Correct answer: Monitoring for cardiac dysrhythmias
Electrolyte imbalances from malnutrition can cause life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias, making physiological safety the top priority.
Question 4: A parent asks how to respond when their 4-year-old has a temper tantrum in public. The best nurse guidance is:
- Give the child what they want to stop the behavior quickly
- Remove the child from the situation and stay calm without giving in (Correct answer)
- Threaten consequences to gain immediate compliance
- Ignore the child completely regardless of safety
Correct answer: Remove the child from the situation and stay calm without giving in
Calmly removing the child and remaining consistent without yielding to demands is the most effective evidence-based approach to tantrums.
Question 5: Which behavior by a 3-year-old hospitalized child would the nurse interpret as a NORMAL response to hospitalization?
- Regression to bedwetting after being toilet trained (Correct answer)
- Prolonged withdrawal lasting weeks after discharge
- Refusal to recognize parents upon reuniting
- Inability to eat any solid foods
Correct answer: Regression to bedwetting after being toilet trained
Temporary regression to earlier behaviors such as bedwetting is a normal stress response in toddlers facing hospitalization.
Question 6: A 16-year-old discloses to the nurse, 'I feel like nobody would care if I disappeared.' The priority nursing action is:
- Reassure the teen that people do care about them
- Conduct a direct suicide risk assessment (Correct answer)
- Notify the parents immediately without further assessment
- Document the statement and continue the exam
Correct answer: Conduct a direct suicide risk assessment
Any statement suggesting suicidal ideation requires immediate direct risk assessment using validated tools before other actions.
Question 7: When applying Erikson's theory, a hospitalized 8-year-old is most likely struggling with the psychosocial conflict of:
- Trust vs. Mistrust
- Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
- Industry vs. Inferiority (Correct answer)
- Identity vs. Role Confusion
Correct answer: Industry vs. Inferiority
School-age children (6–12 years) are in the Industry vs. Inferiority stage, where illness can disrupt their sense of competence and productivity.
Pediatric Nurse Exam Pediatric Nurse Psychosocial and Mental Health 2
A 10-year-old refuses to attend school for three weeks, complaining of stomachaches each morning that resolve by afternoon.
The nurse should recognize this as a sign of: