Pediatric Nursing Final Exam Version 1 Practice Questions |Answers
|Rationales
1. According to Erik Erikson, which developmental task is primary for an infant
(birth to 1 year)?
A. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
B. Industry vs. Inferiority
C. Initiative vs. Guilt
D. Trust vs. Mistrust
Answer: D
Rationale: The primary task for infants is to develop a sense of trust in their caregivers
and the world, which occurs when their basic needs are consistently met.
2. A 2-year-old child is admitted to the pediatric unit. Which behavior should the
nurse expect according to the toddler’s developmental stage?
A. Cooperative play with other children
B. Logical thought processes
C. Strong sense of morality
D. Negativism and ‘no’ as a frequent response
Answer: D
Rationale: Toddlers are in the ‘Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt’ stage, characterized by
negativism as they exert their independence.
,3. When assessing a 10-month-old infant, the nurse notes the child can look for
a hidden toy. This represents which Piagetian concept?
A. Conservation
B. Object permanence
C. Egocentrism
D. Centration
Answer: B
Rationale: Object permanence is the understanding that objects continue to exist even
when they cannot be seen, typically developing around 8-12 months.
4. Which is the most appropriate site for an intramuscular injection in an infant
under 12 months of age?
A. Deltoid muscle
B. Dorsogluteal muscle
C. Ventrogluteal muscle
D. Vastus lateralis
Answer: D
Rationale: The vastus lateralis is the preferred site for IM injections in infants because it is
the most developed muscle at that age.
5. The nurse is educating parents on SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
prevention. Which sleep position should be recommended?
A. Prone (on the stomach)
B. Side-lying with a bolster
C. Prone with a firm pillow
D. Supine (on the back)
Answer: D
Rationale: The ‘Back to Sleep’ campaign recommends the supine position for all infants to
reduce the risk of SIDS.
, 6. At what age does an infant typically double their birth weight?
A. 4 months
B. 9 months
C. 6 months
D. 12 months
Answer: C
Rationale: Infants usually double their birth weight by 6 months of age and triple it by 1
year.
7. A nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child’s pain. Which pain scale is most
appropriate for this age group?
A. Numerical Rating Scale (0-10)
B. FLACC scale
C. Visual Analog Scale
D. Wong-Baker FACES scale
Answer: D
Rationale: The Wong-Baker FACES scale is designed for children as young as 3 years old to
communicate their pain level using facial expressions.
8. Which clinical manifestation is a hallmark sign of pyloric stenosis in an infant?
A. Projectile vomiting
B. Currant jelly stools
C. Steatorrhea
D. Abdominal distension and bile-stained emesis
Answer: A
Rationale: Pyloric stenosis involves hypertrophy of the pyloric sphincter, leading to
forceful, non-bile-stained projectile vomiting.
|Rationales
1. According to Erik Erikson, which developmental task is primary for an infant
(birth to 1 year)?
A. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
B. Industry vs. Inferiority
C. Initiative vs. Guilt
D. Trust vs. Mistrust
Answer: D
Rationale: The primary task for infants is to develop a sense of trust in their caregivers
and the world, which occurs when their basic needs are consistently met.
2. A 2-year-old child is admitted to the pediatric unit. Which behavior should the
nurse expect according to the toddler’s developmental stage?
A. Cooperative play with other children
B. Logical thought processes
C. Strong sense of morality
D. Negativism and ‘no’ as a frequent response
Answer: D
Rationale: Toddlers are in the ‘Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt’ stage, characterized by
negativism as they exert their independence.
,3. When assessing a 10-month-old infant, the nurse notes the child can look for
a hidden toy. This represents which Piagetian concept?
A. Conservation
B. Object permanence
C. Egocentrism
D. Centration
Answer: B
Rationale: Object permanence is the understanding that objects continue to exist even
when they cannot be seen, typically developing around 8-12 months.
4. Which is the most appropriate site for an intramuscular injection in an infant
under 12 months of age?
A. Deltoid muscle
B. Dorsogluteal muscle
C. Ventrogluteal muscle
D. Vastus lateralis
Answer: D
Rationale: The vastus lateralis is the preferred site for IM injections in infants because it is
the most developed muscle at that age.
5. The nurse is educating parents on SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
prevention. Which sleep position should be recommended?
A. Prone (on the stomach)
B. Side-lying with a bolster
C. Prone with a firm pillow
D. Supine (on the back)
Answer: D
Rationale: The ‘Back to Sleep’ campaign recommends the supine position for all infants to
reduce the risk of SIDS.
, 6. At what age does an infant typically double their birth weight?
A. 4 months
B. 9 months
C. 6 months
D. 12 months
Answer: C
Rationale: Infants usually double their birth weight by 6 months of age and triple it by 1
year.
7. A nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child’s pain. Which pain scale is most
appropriate for this age group?
A. Numerical Rating Scale (0-10)
B. FLACC scale
C. Visual Analog Scale
D. Wong-Baker FACES scale
Answer: D
Rationale: The Wong-Baker FACES scale is designed for children as young as 3 years old to
communicate their pain level using facial expressions.
8. Which clinical manifestation is a hallmark sign of pyloric stenosis in an infant?
A. Projectile vomiting
B. Currant jelly stools
C. Steatorrhea
D. Abdominal distension and bile-stained emesis
Answer: A
Rationale: Pyloric stenosis involves hypertrophy of the pyloric sphincter, leading to
forceful, non-bile-stained projectile vomiting.
