Herzing University Pediatrics Final Exam 2026 NCLEX-Style Practice Questions
& Verified Answers Pediatric Nursing Review
SECTION 1: Growth & Development (Questions 1-30)
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a 4-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which finding
should the nurse report to the healthcare provider?
A) The infant can lift the head and shoulders off the bed
B) The infant has a strong Moro reflex
C) The infant can roll from back to side
D) The infant does not track objects with the eyes
Answer: D
Rationale: By 4 months, infants should be able to track moving objects with their
eyes. Failure to do so may indicate visual impairment or developmental delay.
Lifting the head/shoulders (3 months), a strong Moro reflex (should disappear by
6 months), and rolling from back to side (4-5 months) are all expected findings at
this age .
Question 2
,A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to the parents of a 6-month-old infant.
Which statement by the parent indicates understanding?
A) "I will start feeding my baby honey for added nutrition"
B) "I will place my baby on the stomach to sleep"
C) "I will begin offering a cup for water at mealtime"
D) "I will introduce one new food at a time over 3-5 days"
Answer: D
Rationale: Introducing one new food at a time over 3-5 days allows for
identification of potential food allergies or intolerances. Honey is avoided until
age 12 months due to the risk of infant botulism. Back sleeping is recommended
to prevent SIDS. Cups can be introduced around 6 months, but water is not
necessary for hydration at this age; breastmilk or formula remains the primary
source of nutrition .
Question 3
According to Erikson's stages of psychosocial development, a 2-year-old toddler is
in which stage?
A) Trust vs. Mistrust
,B) Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
C) Initiative vs. Guilt
D) Industry vs. Inferiority
Answer: B
Rationale: Toddlers (ages 1-3 years) are in the Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
stage. During this stage, children develop a sense of personal control and
independence. The behavioral hallmark is "negativism"—frequently saying "no"
as they assert their will. Trust vs. Mistrust occurs in infancy (birth-1 year).
Initiative vs. Guilt occurs in preschoolers (3-6 years). Industry vs. Inferiority occurs
in school-age children (6-12 years) .
Question 4
A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old toddler. Which behavior is characteristic of
normal psychosocial development according to Erikson?
A) The child cries when the parent leaves the room
B) The child says "no" repeatedly
C) The child wants to help with dressing
D) The child plays alone with a toy
, Answer: B
Rationale: Repeatedly saying "no" is a normal expression of negativism, which is
characteristic of Erikson's Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt stage in toddlers. This
behavior represents the child's attempt to assert independence and control over
their environment. Crying when the parent leaves (separation anxiety) peaks in
infancy/toddlerhood but is not specific to the autonomy stage. Helping with
dressing is a later skill .
Question 5
A nurse is assessing a 9-month-old infant. Which finding requires further
evaluation?
A) The infant sits unsupported
B) The infant transfers objects from hand to hand
C) The infant does not babble
D) The infant has a pincer grasp
Answer: C
Rationale: By 9 months, infants should be babbling (e.g., "mama," "dada" without
meaning). The absence of babbling may indicate a hearing impairment or
developmental delay and requires further evaluation. Sitting unsupported is
& Verified Answers Pediatric Nursing Review
SECTION 1: Growth & Development (Questions 1-30)
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a 4-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which finding
should the nurse report to the healthcare provider?
A) The infant can lift the head and shoulders off the bed
B) The infant has a strong Moro reflex
C) The infant can roll from back to side
D) The infant does not track objects with the eyes
Answer: D
Rationale: By 4 months, infants should be able to track moving objects with their
eyes. Failure to do so may indicate visual impairment or developmental delay.
Lifting the head/shoulders (3 months), a strong Moro reflex (should disappear by
6 months), and rolling from back to side (4-5 months) are all expected findings at
this age .
Question 2
,A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to the parents of a 6-month-old infant.
Which statement by the parent indicates understanding?
A) "I will start feeding my baby honey for added nutrition"
B) "I will place my baby on the stomach to sleep"
C) "I will begin offering a cup for water at mealtime"
D) "I will introduce one new food at a time over 3-5 days"
Answer: D
Rationale: Introducing one new food at a time over 3-5 days allows for
identification of potential food allergies or intolerances. Honey is avoided until
age 12 months due to the risk of infant botulism. Back sleeping is recommended
to prevent SIDS. Cups can be introduced around 6 months, but water is not
necessary for hydration at this age; breastmilk or formula remains the primary
source of nutrition .
Question 3
According to Erikson's stages of psychosocial development, a 2-year-old toddler is
in which stage?
A) Trust vs. Mistrust
,B) Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
C) Initiative vs. Guilt
D) Industry vs. Inferiority
Answer: B
Rationale: Toddlers (ages 1-3 years) are in the Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
stage. During this stage, children develop a sense of personal control and
independence. The behavioral hallmark is "negativism"—frequently saying "no"
as they assert their will. Trust vs. Mistrust occurs in infancy (birth-1 year).
Initiative vs. Guilt occurs in preschoolers (3-6 years). Industry vs. Inferiority occurs
in school-age children (6-12 years) .
Question 4
A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old toddler. Which behavior is characteristic of
normal psychosocial development according to Erikson?
A) The child cries when the parent leaves the room
B) The child says "no" repeatedly
C) The child wants to help with dressing
D) The child plays alone with a toy
, Answer: B
Rationale: Repeatedly saying "no" is a normal expression of negativism, which is
characteristic of Erikson's Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt stage in toddlers. This
behavior represents the child's attempt to assert independence and control over
their environment. Crying when the parent leaves (separation anxiety) peaks in
infancy/toddlerhood but is not specific to the autonomy stage. Helping with
dressing is a later skill .
Question 5
A nurse is assessing a 9-month-old infant. Which finding requires further
evaluation?
A) The infant sits unsupported
B) The infant transfers objects from hand to hand
C) The infant does not babble
D) The infant has a pincer grasp
Answer: C
Rationale: By 9 months, infants should be babbling (e.g., "mama," "dada" without
meaning). The absence of babbling may indicate a hearing impairment or
developmental delay and requires further evaluation. Sitting unsupported is
