Test Bank For Pediatric Physical
Examination An Illustrated Questions
With Correct and Complete Solutions||
Newest Edition 2026 by Karen G.
Duderstadt 9780323476508|| All
Charpters Covered|| Complete Guide
Physical Assessment of Children
1. The nurse percussing over an empty stomach expects to hear which sound?
a. Tympany
b. Resonance
c. Flatness
d. Dullness - CORRECT ANSWERS-ANS: A
Tympany is a high-pitched, loud-intensity sound heard over air-filled body parts such as
the stomach and bowel. Resonance is a low-pitched, low-intensity sound elicited over
hollow organs such as the lungs. Flatness is a high-pitched, soft-intensity sound elicited
by percussing over solid masses such as bone or muscle. Dullness is a medium-
pitched, medium-intensity sound elicited when percussing over high-density structures
such as the liver.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge/Remembering
REF: p. 720 | Box 33.1 OBJ: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: Client Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance
Physical Assessment of Children
2. The nurse is admitting a toddler to the pediatric infectious disease unit. What is the
single most important component of the child's physical examination?
a. Assessment of heart and lungs
b. Measurement of height and weight
c. Documentation of parental concerns
d. Obtaining an accurate history - CORRECT ANSWERS-ANS: D
An accurate history is most helpful in identifying problems and potential problems. Heart
and lung assessment is not as important as an accurate history. A single measurement
of height and weight is not as significant as determining growth over time. The child's
growth pattern can be elicited from the history. Documentation of parental concerns is
not as relevant to the physical examination as an accurate history in this case.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension/Understanding
,REF: p. 720 | Box 33.1 OBJ: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: Client Needs: Physiologic Integrity
Physical Assessment of Children
3. In which section of the health history should the nurse record that the parent brought
the infant to the clinic today because of frequent diarrhea?
a. Review of systems
b. Chief complaint
c. Lifestyle and life patterns
d. Health history - CORRECT ANSWERS-ANS: B
The chief complaint is documented using the child's or parent's words for the reason the
child was brought to the health care center. The review of systems includes health
functions of body systems. Lifestyle and life patterns include the child's interaction with
the social, psychological, physical, and cultural environment. Health history includes
birth history, growth and development, common childhood illnesses, immunizations,
hospitalizations, injuries, and allergies.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge/Remembering
REF: p. 721 | Box 33.4 OBJ: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: Client Needs: Physiologic Integrity
Physical Assessment of Children
4. The nurse assesses a child's oculomotor, trochlear, and abducent nerves by using
which technique?
a. Assessing the six cardinal gazes
b. Identification of common odors
c. Having child bite on a tongue blade
d. Ask child to shrug against resistance - CORRECT ANSWERS-ANS: A
Using the six cardinal gazes the nurse assesses the oculomotor, trochlear, and
abducent nerves. Odors are detected by the olfactory nerve. Biting on tongue blade
assesses the trigeminal nerve. Shrugging against resistance assesses the accessory
nerve.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Application/Applying
REF: p. 745 | Table 33.4 OBJ: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: Client Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance
Physical Assessment of Children
5. The nurse is performing a comprehensive physical examination on a young child in
the hospital. At what age can the nurse expect a child's head and chest circumferences
to be almost equal?
a. Birth
b. 6 months
c. 1 year
d. 3 years - CORRECT ANSWERS-ANS: C
Head and chest measurements are almost equal at 1 year of age.
,PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge/Remembering
REF: p. 724 OBJ: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: Client Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance
Physical Assessment of Children
6. An 8-year-old girl asks the nurse how the blood pressure apparatus works. The most
appropriate nursing action is to
a. ask her why she wants to know.
b. determine why she is so anxious.
c. explain in simple terms how it works.
d. tell her she will see how it works as it is used. - CORRECT ANSWERS-ANS: C
School-age children require explanations and reasons for everything. They are
interested in the functional aspect of all procedures, objects, and activities. It is
appropriate for the nurse to explain how equipment works and what will happen to the
child. "Why" questions are not therapeutic, plus this question makes it sound like the
nurse thinks the child does not need this information. The child is not exhibiting anxiety,
just requesting clarification of what will be occurring. The nurse must explain how the
blood pressure cuff works so that the child can then observe during the procedure.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Application/Applying
REF: p. 719 OBJ: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
Physical Assessment of Children
7. Which chart should the nurse use to assess the visual acuity of an 8-year-old child?
a. Lea chart
b. Snellen chart
c. HOTV chart
d. Tumbling E chart - CORRECT ANSWERS-ANS: B
The Snellen chart is used to assess the vision of children older than 6 years of age. The
Lea chart tests vision using four different symbols designed for use with preschool
children. The HOTV chart tests vision by using graduated letters and is designed for use
with children ages 3 to 6 years. The tumbling E chart uses the letter E in various
directions and is designed for use with children ages 3 to 6 years.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge/Remembering
REF: p. 731 | Box 33.8 OBJ: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: Client Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance
Physical Assessment of Children
8. Which action is appropriate when the nurse is assessing breath sounds of an 18-
month-old crying child?
a. Ask the parent to quiet the child so the nurse can listen.
b. Auscultate breath sounds and chart that the child was crying.
c. Let the child play with the stethoscope for distraction.
, d. Document that data are not available because of crying. - CORRECT ANSWERS-
ANS: C
Distracting the child with an interesting activity can assist the child to calm down so an
accurate assessment can be made. Asking a parent to quiet the child may or may not
work. Auscultating while the child is crying typically results in less than optimal data.
The assessment needs to be completed so documenting that data are not available is
not appropriate.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Application/Applying
REF: p. 735 OBJ: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: Client Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance
Physical Assessment of Children
9. The nurse is obtaining vital signs on a 1-year-old child. What is the most appropriate
site for assessing the pulse rate?
a. Apical
b. Radial
c. Carotid
d. Femoral - CORRECT ANSWERS-ANS: A
Apical pulse rates are taken in children younger than 2 years. Radial pulse rates may be
taken in children older than 2 years. It is difficult to palpate the carotid pulse in an infant.
The femoral pulse is palpated when comparing peripheral pulses, but it is not used to
measure an infant's pulse rate.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge/Remembering
REF: p. 722 OBJ: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: Client Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance
Physical Assessment of Children
10. A nurse is reviewing pediatric physical assessment techniques. Which statement
about performing a pediatric physical assessment is correct?
a. Physical examinations proceed systematically from head to toe unless developmental
considerations dictate otherwise.
b. The physical examination should be done with parents in the examining room for
children of any age.
c. Measurement of head circumference is done until the child is 5 years old.
d. The physical examination is done only when the child is cooperative. - CORRECT
ANSWERS-ANS: A
Physical assessment usually proceeds from head to toe; however, developmental
considerations with infants and toddlers dictate that the least threatening assessments
be done first to obtain accurate data. Having parents in the examining room with
adolescents is not appropriate. Head circumference is routinely measured until 36
months of age. Children will not always be cooperative during the physical examination.
The examiner will need to incorporate communication and play techniques to facilitate
cooperation.
Examination An Illustrated Questions
With Correct and Complete Solutions||
Newest Edition 2026 by Karen G.
Duderstadt 9780323476508|| All
Charpters Covered|| Complete Guide
Physical Assessment of Children
1. The nurse percussing over an empty stomach expects to hear which sound?
a. Tympany
b. Resonance
c. Flatness
d. Dullness - CORRECT ANSWERS-ANS: A
Tympany is a high-pitched, loud-intensity sound heard over air-filled body parts such as
the stomach and bowel. Resonance is a low-pitched, low-intensity sound elicited over
hollow organs such as the lungs. Flatness is a high-pitched, soft-intensity sound elicited
by percussing over solid masses such as bone or muscle. Dullness is a medium-
pitched, medium-intensity sound elicited when percussing over high-density structures
such as the liver.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge/Remembering
REF: p. 720 | Box 33.1 OBJ: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: Client Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance
Physical Assessment of Children
2. The nurse is admitting a toddler to the pediatric infectious disease unit. What is the
single most important component of the child's physical examination?
a. Assessment of heart and lungs
b. Measurement of height and weight
c. Documentation of parental concerns
d. Obtaining an accurate history - CORRECT ANSWERS-ANS: D
An accurate history is most helpful in identifying problems and potential problems. Heart
and lung assessment is not as important as an accurate history. A single measurement
of height and weight is not as significant as determining growth over time. The child's
growth pattern can be elicited from the history. Documentation of parental concerns is
not as relevant to the physical examination as an accurate history in this case.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension/Understanding
,REF: p. 720 | Box 33.1 OBJ: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: Client Needs: Physiologic Integrity
Physical Assessment of Children
3. In which section of the health history should the nurse record that the parent brought
the infant to the clinic today because of frequent diarrhea?
a. Review of systems
b. Chief complaint
c. Lifestyle and life patterns
d. Health history - CORRECT ANSWERS-ANS: B
The chief complaint is documented using the child's or parent's words for the reason the
child was brought to the health care center. The review of systems includes health
functions of body systems. Lifestyle and life patterns include the child's interaction with
the social, psychological, physical, and cultural environment. Health history includes
birth history, growth and development, common childhood illnesses, immunizations,
hospitalizations, injuries, and allergies.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge/Remembering
REF: p. 721 | Box 33.4 OBJ: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: Client Needs: Physiologic Integrity
Physical Assessment of Children
4. The nurse assesses a child's oculomotor, trochlear, and abducent nerves by using
which technique?
a. Assessing the six cardinal gazes
b. Identification of common odors
c. Having child bite on a tongue blade
d. Ask child to shrug against resistance - CORRECT ANSWERS-ANS: A
Using the six cardinal gazes the nurse assesses the oculomotor, trochlear, and
abducent nerves. Odors are detected by the olfactory nerve. Biting on tongue blade
assesses the trigeminal nerve. Shrugging against resistance assesses the accessory
nerve.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Application/Applying
REF: p. 745 | Table 33.4 OBJ: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: Client Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance
Physical Assessment of Children
5. The nurse is performing a comprehensive physical examination on a young child in
the hospital. At what age can the nurse expect a child's head and chest circumferences
to be almost equal?
a. Birth
b. 6 months
c. 1 year
d. 3 years - CORRECT ANSWERS-ANS: C
Head and chest measurements are almost equal at 1 year of age.
,PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge/Remembering
REF: p. 724 OBJ: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: Client Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance
Physical Assessment of Children
6. An 8-year-old girl asks the nurse how the blood pressure apparatus works. The most
appropriate nursing action is to
a. ask her why she wants to know.
b. determine why she is so anxious.
c. explain in simple terms how it works.
d. tell her she will see how it works as it is used. - CORRECT ANSWERS-ANS: C
School-age children require explanations and reasons for everything. They are
interested in the functional aspect of all procedures, objects, and activities. It is
appropriate for the nurse to explain how equipment works and what will happen to the
child. "Why" questions are not therapeutic, plus this question makes it sound like the
nurse thinks the child does not need this information. The child is not exhibiting anxiety,
just requesting clarification of what will be occurring. The nurse must explain how the
blood pressure cuff works so that the child can then observe during the procedure.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Application/Applying
REF: p. 719 OBJ: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
Physical Assessment of Children
7. Which chart should the nurse use to assess the visual acuity of an 8-year-old child?
a. Lea chart
b. Snellen chart
c. HOTV chart
d. Tumbling E chart - CORRECT ANSWERS-ANS: B
The Snellen chart is used to assess the vision of children older than 6 years of age. The
Lea chart tests vision using four different symbols designed for use with preschool
children. The HOTV chart tests vision by using graduated letters and is designed for use
with children ages 3 to 6 years. The tumbling E chart uses the letter E in various
directions and is designed for use with children ages 3 to 6 years.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge/Remembering
REF: p. 731 | Box 33.8 OBJ: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: Client Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance
Physical Assessment of Children
8. Which action is appropriate when the nurse is assessing breath sounds of an 18-
month-old crying child?
a. Ask the parent to quiet the child so the nurse can listen.
b. Auscultate breath sounds and chart that the child was crying.
c. Let the child play with the stethoscope for distraction.
, d. Document that data are not available because of crying. - CORRECT ANSWERS-
ANS: C
Distracting the child with an interesting activity can assist the child to calm down so an
accurate assessment can be made. Asking a parent to quiet the child may or may not
work. Auscultating while the child is crying typically results in less than optimal data.
The assessment needs to be completed so documenting that data are not available is
not appropriate.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Application/Applying
REF: p. 735 OBJ: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: Client Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance
Physical Assessment of Children
9. The nurse is obtaining vital signs on a 1-year-old child. What is the most appropriate
site for assessing the pulse rate?
a. Apical
b. Radial
c. Carotid
d. Femoral - CORRECT ANSWERS-ANS: A
Apical pulse rates are taken in children younger than 2 years. Radial pulse rates may be
taken in children older than 2 years. It is difficult to palpate the carotid pulse in an infant.
The femoral pulse is palpated when comparing peripheral pulses, but it is not used to
measure an infant's pulse rate.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge/Remembering
REF: p. 722 OBJ: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: Client Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance
Physical Assessment of Children
10. A nurse is reviewing pediatric physical assessment techniques. Which statement
about performing a pediatric physical assessment is correct?
a. Physical examinations proceed systematically from head to toe unless developmental
considerations dictate otherwise.
b. The physical examination should be done with parents in the examining room for
children of any age.
c. Measurement of head circumference is done until the child is 5 years old.
d. The physical examination is done only when the child is cooperative. - CORRECT
ANSWERS-ANS: A
Physical assessment usually proceeds from head to toe; however, developmental
considerations with infants and toddlers dictate that the least threatening assessments
be done first to obtain accurate data. Having parents in the examining room with
adolescents is not appropriate. Head circumference is routinely measured until 36
months of age. Children will not always be cooperative during the physical examination.
The examiner will need to incorporate communication and play techniques to facilitate
cooperation.
