NACE CARE OF THE CHILD EXAM STUDY
GUIDE 2026 | PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS & DETAILED RATIONALES
| LATEST VERSION
NACE — CARE OF THE CHILD
EXAM STUDY GUIDE
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS & DETAILED RATIONALE |
LATEST VERSION
SECTION 1: GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
Q1. A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old child. Which of the following developmental
milestones should the nurse expect this child to have achieved?
A. Riding a tricycle B. Speaking in full sentences of 6–8 words C. Using a spoon and
cup with some spilling D. Tying shoelaces independently E. Reading simple words
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Using a spoon and cup with some spilling
RATIONALE: By age 2, toddlers develop fine motor skills that allow them to use
utensils, though spilling is common. Riding a tricycle is expected at age 3, full sentences
at age 4–5, tying shoes at age 5–6, and reading later.
Q2. The nurse is assessing a 4-month-old infant. Which finding would be
considered a normal developmental milestone?
A. Sitting without support B. Pulling to stand C. Rolling from back to front D. Holding
head steady when upright E. Walking with assistance
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Holding head steady when upright RATIONALE:
By 4 months, infants can hold their head steady in an upright position. Rolling back to
front occurs around 5–6 months. Sitting without support and pulling to stand occur later
in the first year.
Q3. A nurse is teaching a parent about Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial
development. A 3-year-old is in which stage?
,A. Trust vs. Mistrust B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt C. Initiative vs. Guilt D. Industry
vs. Inferiority E. Identity vs. Role Confusion
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Initiative vs. Guilt RATIONALE: According to
Erikson, children aged 3–6 years are in the Initiative vs. Guilt stage. They begin to
assert power and control over their world through directing play and other social
interactions.
Q4. A parent asks at what age an infant typically doubles their birth weight. The
nurse's best response is:
A. 2 months B. 4 months C. 6 months D. 9 months E. 12 months
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 6 months RATIONALE: Infants typically double
their birth weight by 6 months of age. They triple their birth weight by 12 months. This is
an important growth milestone for nutritional assessment.
Q5. Which of the following is the correct sequence of Piaget's cognitive
developmental stages?
A. Preoperational → Sensorimotor → Concrete Operational → Formal Operational B.
Sensorimotor → Preoperational → Formal Operational → Concrete Operational C.
Sensorimotor → Preoperational → Concrete Operational → Formal Operational D.
Preoperational → Sensorimotor → Formal Operational → Concrete Operational E.
Concrete Operational → Sensorimotor → Preoperational → Formal Operational
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Sensorimotor → Preoperational → Concrete
Operational → Formal Operational RATIONALE: Piaget's stages progress from
birth (Sensorimotor, 0–2 yrs), then Preoperational (2–7 yrs), Concrete Operational (7–11
yrs), and Formal Operational (12+ yrs), reflecting increasing cognitive complexity.
Q6. A 9-month-old infant begins to cry when a stranger approaches. The nurse
recognizes this as:
A. Separation anxiety B. Stranger anxiety C. Colic behavior D. Abnormal social
development E. Attachment disorder
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Stranger anxiety RATIONALE: Stranger anxiety
typically develops between 6–9 months as infants begin to differentiate familiar from
,unfamiliar faces. This is a normal developmental milestone indicating healthy
attachment to caregivers.
Q7. At what age should a child be able to ride a bicycle without training wheels?
A. 3 years B. 4 years C. 5 years D. 6–7 years E. 9 years
CORRECT ANSWER: D. 6–7 years RATIONALE: Most children develop the
balance and coordination needed to ride a bicycle without training wheels around 6–7
years of age, corresponding with refinement of gross motor skills.
Q8. The nurse is teaching a class on Freud's psychosexual theory. A 6-year-old
boy would be in which stage?
A. Oral stage B. Anal stage C. Phallic stage D. Latency stage E. Genital stage
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Latency stage RATIONALE: According to Freud,
children ages 6–12 are in the Latency stage, during which sexual impulses are
repressed and children focus on intellectual and social skills.
Q9. A nurse assesses a 15-month-old child. Which of the following language
milestones is expected?
A. Using 2-word phrases B. Saying 4–6 words C. Speaking in complete sentences D.
Naming body parts E. Using pronouns correctly
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Saying 4–6 words RATIONALE: By 15 months,
children are expected to say approximately 4–6 meaningful words. Two-word phrases
typically appear around 18–24 months, and complete sentences by 3–4 years.
Q10. Which of the following reflects the concept of "object permanence" in infant
development?
A. An infant imitates the facial expressions of a caregiver B. An infant searches for a
hidden toy C. An infant responds to their own name D. An infant demonstrates stranger
anxiety E. An infant smiles when spoken to
CORRECT ANSWER: B. An infant searches for a hidden toy RATIONALE:
Object permanence — the understanding that objects continue to exist even when out
, of sight — typically develops around 8–12 months. Searching for a hidden object
demonstrates this milestone.
Q11. A school-age child (age 8) is in which of Erikson's psychosocial stages?
A. Initiative vs. Guilt B. Trust vs. Mistrust C. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt D. Industry
vs. Inferiority E. Identity vs. Role Confusion
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Industry vs. Inferiority RATIONALE: Children
ages 6–12 are in the Industry vs. Inferiority stage. They strive to master new skills and
knowledge. Success leads to a sense of competence; failure may result in feelings of
inferiority.
Q12. The anterior fontanelle in a healthy infant typically closes at what age?
A. 2–3 months B. 4–6 months C. 6–9 months D. 12–18 months E. 24 months
CORRECT ANSWER: D. 12–18 months RATIONALE: The anterior (frontal)
fontanelle normally closes between 12–18 months of age. The posterior fontanelle
closes much earlier, by 2–3 months. Delayed or early closure may indicate pathology.
Q13. Which statement best describes the moral development of a 10-year-old
according to Kohlberg?
A. Obeys rules to avoid punishment B. Follows rules for personal benefit C. Follows
rules to maintain social order D. Makes moral decisions based on universal ethics E. Is
incapable of moral reasoning
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Follows rules to maintain social order
RATIONALE: Most 10-year-olds are at Kohlberg's Conventional Level, Stage 3–4,
where behavior is guided by conforming to social norms and rules to maintain order and
gain social approval.
Q14. A nurse is assessing a 5-year-old's cognitive development. Which behavior
is consistent with Piaget's preoperational stage?
A. Understanding conservation of volume B. Using logic to solve concrete problems C.
Using symbols and language to represent objects D. Thinking abstractly about
hypothetical situations E. Understanding reversibility of operations
GUIDE 2026 | PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS & DETAILED RATIONALES
| LATEST VERSION
NACE — CARE OF THE CHILD
EXAM STUDY GUIDE
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS & DETAILED RATIONALE |
LATEST VERSION
SECTION 1: GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
Q1. A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old child. Which of the following developmental
milestones should the nurse expect this child to have achieved?
A. Riding a tricycle B. Speaking in full sentences of 6–8 words C. Using a spoon and
cup with some spilling D. Tying shoelaces independently E. Reading simple words
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Using a spoon and cup with some spilling
RATIONALE: By age 2, toddlers develop fine motor skills that allow them to use
utensils, though spilling is common. Riding a tricycle is expected at age 3, full sentences
at age 4–5, tying shoes at age 5–6, and reading later.
Q2. The nurse is assessing a 4-month-old infant. Which finding would be
considered a normal developmental milestone?
A. Sitting without support B. Pulling to stand C. Rolling from back to front D. Holding
head steady when upright E. Walking with assistance
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Holding head steady when upright RATIONALE:
By 4 months, infants can hold their head steady in an upright position. Rolling back to
front occurs around 5–6 months. Sitting without support and pulling to stand occur later
in the first year.
Q3. A nurse is teaching a parent about Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial
development. A 3-year-old is in which stage?
,A. Trust vs. Mistrust B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt C. Initiative vs. Guilt D. Industry
vs. Inferiority E. Identity vs. Role Confusion
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Initiative vs. Guilt RATIONALE: According to
Erikson, children aged 3–6 years are in the Initiative vs. Guilt stage. They begin to
assert power and control over their world through directing play and other social
interactions.
Q4. A parent asks at what age an infant typically doubles their birth weight. The
nurse's best response is:
A. 2 months B. 4 months C. 6 months D. 9 months E. 12 months
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 6 months RATIONALE: Infants typically double
their birth weight by 6 months of age. They triple their birth weight by 12 months. This is
an important growth milestone for nutritional assessment.
Q5. Which of the following is the correct sequence of Piaget's cognitive
developmental stages?
A. Preoperational → Sensorimotor → Concrete Operational → Formal Operational B.
Sensorimotor → Preoperational → Formal Operational → Concrete Operational C.
Sensorimotor → Preoperational → Concrete Operational → Formal Operational D.
Preoperational → Sensorimotor → Formal Operational → Concrete Operational E.
Concrete Operational → Sensorimotor → Preoperational → Formal Operational
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Sensorimotor → Preoperational → Concrete
Operational → Formal Operational RATIONALE: Piaget's stages progress from
birth (Sensorimotor, 0–2 yrs), then Preoperational (2–7 yrs), Concrete Operational (7–11
yrs), and Formal Operational (12+ yrs), reflecting increasing cognitive complexity.
Q6. A 9-month-old infant begins to cry when a stranger approaches. The nurse
recognizes this as:
A. Separation anxiety B. Stranger anxiety C. Colic behavior D. Abnormal social
development E. Attachment disorder
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Stranger anxiety RATIONALE: Stranger anxiety
typically develops between 6–9 months as infants begin to differentiate familiar from
,unfamiliar faces. This is a normal developmental milestone indicating healthy
attachment to caregivers.
Q7. At what age should a child be able to ride a bicycle without training wheels?
A. 3 years B. 4 years C. 5 years D. 6–7 years E. 9 years
CORRECT ANSWER: D. 6–7 years RATIONALE: Most children develop the
balance and coordination needed to ride a bicycle without training wheels around 6–7
years of age, corresponding with refinement of gross motor skills.
Q8. The nurse is teaching a class on Freud's psychosexual theory. A 6-year-old
boy would be in which stage?
A. Oral stage B. Anal stage C. Phallic stage D. Latency stage E. Genital stage
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Latency stage RATIONALE: According to Freud,
children ages 6–12 are in the Latency stage, during which sexual impulses are
repressed and children focus on intellectual and social skills.
Q9. A nurse assesses a 15-month-old child. Which of the following language
milestones is expected?
A. Using 2-word phrases B. Saying 4–6 words C. Speaking in complete sentences D.
Naming body parts E. Using pronouns correctly
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Saying 4–6 words RATIONALE: By 15 months,
children are expected to say approximately 4–6 meaningful words. Two-word phrases
typically appear around 18–24 months, and complete sentences by 3–4 years.
Q10. Which of the following reflects the concept of "object permanence" in infant
development?
A. An infant imitates the facial expressions of a caregiver B. An infant searches for a
hidden toy C. An infant responds to their own name D. An infant demonstrates stranger
anxiety E. An infant smiles when spoken to
CORRECT ANSWER: B. An infant searches for a hidden toy RATIONALE:
Object permanence — the understanding that objects continue to exist even when out
, of sight — typically develops around 8–12 months. Searching for a hidden object
demonstrates this milestone.
Q11. A school-age child (age 8) is in which of Erikson's psychosocial stages?
A. Initiative vs. Guilt B. Trust vs. Mistrust C. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt D. Industry
vs. Inferiority E. Identity vs. Role Confusion
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Industry vs. Inferiority RATIONALE: Children
ages 6–12 are in the Industry vs. Inferiority stage. They strive to master new skills and
knowledge. Success leads to a sense of competence; failure may result in feelings of
inferiority.
Q12. The anterior fontanelle in a healthy infant typically closes at what age?
A. 2–3 months B. 4–6 months C. 6–9 months D. 12–18 months E. 24 months
CORRECT ANSWER: D. 12–18 months RATIONALE: The anterior (frontal)
fontanelle normally closes between 12–18 months of age. The posterior fontanelle
closes much earlier, by 2–3 months. Delayed or early closure may indicate pathology.
Q13. Which statement best describes the moral development of a 10-year-old
according to Kohlberg?
A. Obeys rules to avoid punishment B. Follows rules for personal benefit C. Follows
rules to maintain social order D. Makes moral decisions based on universal ethics E. Is
incapable of moral reasoning
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Follows rules to maintain social order
RATIONALE: Most 10-year-olds are at Kohlberg's Conventional Level, Stage 3–4,
where behavior is guided by conforming to social norms and rules to maintain order and
gain social approval.
Q14. A nurse is assessing a 5-year-old's cognitive development. Which behavior
is consistent with Piaget's preoperational stage?
A. Understanding conservation of volume B. Using logic to solve concrete problems C.
Using symbols and language to represent objects D. Thinking abstractly about
hypothetical situations E. Understanding reversibility of operations
