Pediatric Nurse Growth and Development Milestones Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A nurse is assessing the gross motor skills of a 9-month-old infant. Which of the following milestones should the infant be able to perform?
- Sits without support.
- Walks independently.
- Builds a tower of two blocks.
- Pulls to a standing position. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Pulls to a standing position.
By 9 to 10 months of age, an infant should be able to pull themselves up to a standing position by holding onto furniture. Sitting without support is typically achieved between 7 to 9 months. Walking independently usually occurs between 12 and 15 months, and building a tower of two blocks is a fine motor skill expected around 12 to 15 months.
Question 2: During a well-child visit for a 2-year-old, the nurse assesses the child's language development. Which finding would be considered a typical milestone for this age?
- Speaks in 4-5 word sentences.
- Has a vocabulary of approximately 50 words and uses two-word phrases. (Correct answer)
- Can clearly state their first and last name.
- Follows a series of three commands.
Correct answer: Has a vocabulary of approximately 50 words and uses two-word phrases.
A 2-year-old typically has a vocabulary of around 50 words and begins combining them into two-word phrases like 'more juice' or 'mama go'. Speaking in 4-5 word sentences is expected closer to age 3-4. Stating a full name and following a series of three commands are milestones for older preschool-aged children.
Question 3: The parent of a 4-year-old tells the nurse they are concerned about their child's fine motor skills. Which of the following is an age-appropriate fine motor skill for a 4-year-old?
- Tying shoelaces.
- Printing some capital letters. (Correct answer)
- Using a pincer grasp to pick up small objects.
- Zipping up their own jacket.
Correct answer: Printing some capital letters.
A 4-year-old should be able to copy shapes like a square and print some capital letters. Tying shoelaces is a more advanced skill, usually mastered around age 5 or 6. The pincer grasp develops much earlier, around 9-12 months. While a 4-year-old can often zip a jacket once it's started, fully managing the zipper mechanism is a later skill.
Question 4: A pediatric nurse is performing a physical assessment on an infant. The nurse knows that the posterior fontanelle typically closes by what age?
- 6 to 8 months
- 12 to 18 months
- 2 to 3 months (Correct answer)
- Birth
Correct answer: 2 to 3 months
The posterior fontanelle, located at the back of the infant's head, is smaller than the anterior fontanelle and typically closes by 2 to 3 months of age. The anterior fontanelle closes much later, usually between 12 and 18 months.
Question 5: Which of the following social-emotional milestones is most characteristic of a school-aged child (6-12 years old)?
- Engages primarily in parallel play.
- Develops a strong attachment to a transitional object.
- Forms strong peer relationships and has a 'best friend'. (Correct answer)
- Exhibits significant separation anxiety when away from parents.
Correct answer: Forms strong peer relationships and has a 'best friend'.
During the school-age years, peer relationships become increasingly important, and children often identify a 'best friend'. They enjoy group activities and competition. Parallel play is typical of toddlers. Attachment to transitional objects is common in toddlers and preschoolers. Significant separation anxiety is more characteristic of younger children.
Question 6: A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to the parents of a 6-month-old infant. Which gross motor milestone should the nurse inform the parents to expect next?
- Sitting without support. (Correct answer)
- Rolling from back to front.
- Crawling.
- Standing alone.
Correct answer: Sitting without support.
After an infant masters rolling over (around 4-6 months), the next major gross motor milestone is typically sitting independently, which many babies achieve between 7 and 9 months of age. Crawling and standing alone follow this milestone.
Pediatric Nurse Growth and Development Milestones Questions and Answers
A nurse is assessing the gross motor skills of a 9-month-old infant.
Which of the following milestones should the infant be able to perform?