JOURNEY ACROSS THE LIFE SPAN 7TH
EDITION TEST BANK 2026 | POLAN &
TAYLOR | VERIFIED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALES | ALL CHAPTERS 1–14 |
NURSING EXAM PREP STUDY GUIDE
• This exam prep guide covers all chapters of the human development across the
lifespan nursing course, featuring multiple-choice questions with verified answers
and EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce understanding of key concepts.
• Each question follows a standardized format with five options (A–E), a highlighted
correct answer, and a EXPERT RATIONALE — ideal for self-testing, spaced
repetition, and exam readiness.
JOURNEY ACROSS THE LIFE SPAN — NURSING EXAM PREP
Multiple Choice Questions with Answers & EXPERT RATIONALE
Chapters 1–14 | Human Growth & Development
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
1. The study of human development across the life span is best described as:
A. The examination of physical changes only from birth to adolescence
B. The study of emotional and social changes in adulthood
C. The scientific study of age-related changes in behavior, thinking, emotion, and
personality throughout life
D. The analysis of genetic factors influencing personality
E. The study of childhood diseases and their long-term effects
Correct Answer: C. The scientific study of age-related changes in behavior,
thinking, emotion, and personality throughout life
,EXPERT RATIONALE: Human development is a comprehensive science that examines all
domains — physical, cognitive, and psychosocial — across the entire life span from
conception to death, not limited to one domain or period.
2. Which of the following best describes the concept of "nature vs. nurture" in
human development?
A. The conflict between physical and emotional growth
B. The debate between hereditary influences and environmental experiences in
shaping development
C. The comparison between childhood and adulthood behaviors
D. The role of culture in determining personality traits
E. The influence of nutrition on cognitive development
Correct Answer: B. The debate between hereditary influences and
environmental experiences in shaping development
EXPERT RATIONALE: The nature vs. nurture debate is foundational in developmental
science. "Nature" refers to genetic/biological factors while "nurture" refers to
environmental influences such as family, culture, and experiences.
3. Development that proceeds from the head downward is referred to as:
A. Proximodistal development
B. Cephalocaudal development
C. Sequential development
D. Hierarchical development
E. Lateral development
Correct Answer: B. Cephalocaudal development
,EXPERT RATIONALE: Cephalocaudal development describes the pattern in which growth
and motor control begin at the head and progress downward toward the feet. This is
observed prominently in prenatal and early postnatal development.
4. Development that proceeds from the center of the body outward to the
extremities is called:
A. Cephalocaudal development
B. Sequential development
C. Proximodistal development
D. Bilateral development
E. Hierarchical development
Correct Answer: C. Proximodistal development
EXPERT RATIONALE: Proximodistal development refers to the pattern in which growth
and motor skills develop from the center of the body (proximal) outward to the
extremities (distal). Infants gain control of their trunk before their fingers.
5. Which theorist proposed the psychosexual stages of development?
A. Erik Erikson
B. Jean Piaget
C. Lev Vygotsky
D. Sigmund Freud
E. Lawrence Kohlberg
Correct Answer: D. Sigmund Freud
EXPERT RATIONALE: Sigmund Freud proposed the psychosexual theory of development,
identifying stages (oral, anal, phallic, latency, genital) through which children progress,
with each stage centered on a different erogenous zone and conflict.
, 6. Erikson's theory of development is best described as:
A. A cognitive theory focused on logical thinking
B. A behavioral theory based on stimulus-response patterns
C. A psychosocial theory emphasizing social and cultural influences across the life
span
D. A biological theory focused on genetic expression
E. A moral theory based on ethical reasoning
Correct Answer: C. A psychosocial theory emphasizing social and cultural
influences across the life span
EXPERT RATIONALE: Erik Erikson expanded on Freud's work by proposing eight
psychosocial stages across the entire life span. Each stage involves a central conflict
between two opposing forces that must be resolved for healthy development.
7. According to Erikson, the central conflict of infancy is:
A. Autonomy vs. shame and doubt
B. Initiative vs. guilt
C. Trust vs. mistrust
D. Identity vs. role confusion
E. Integrity vs. despair
Correct Answer: C. Trust vs. mistrust
EXPERT RATIONALE: Erikson's first stage (birth to 18 months) centers on trust vs.
mistrust. Infants develop trust when caregivers consistently meet their needs. Failure to
do so leads to mistrust and insecurity in later relationships.
EDITION TEST BANK 2026 | POLAN &
TAYLOR | VERIFIED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALES | ALL CHAPTERS 1–14 |
NURSING EXAM PREP STUDY GUIDE
• This exam prep guide covers all chapters of the human development across the
lifespan nursing course, featuring multiple-choice questions with verified answers
and EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce understanding of key concepts.
• Each question follows a standardized format with five options (A–E), a highlighted
correct answer, and a EXPERT RATIONALE — ideal for self-testing, spaced
repetition, and exam readiness.
JOURNEY ACROSS THE LIFE SPAN — NURSING EXAM PREP
Multiple Choice Questions with Answers & EXPERT RATIONALE
Chapters 1–14 | Human Growth & Development
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
1. The study of human development across the life span is best described as:
A. The examination of physical changes only from birth to adolescence
B. The study of emotional and social changes in adulthood
C. The scientific study of age-related changes in behavior, thinking, emotion, and
personality throughout life
D. The analysis of genetic factors influencing personality
E. The study of childhood diseases and their long-term effects
Correct Answer: C. The scientific study of age-related changes in behavior,
thinking, emotion, and personality throughout life
,EXPERT RATIONALE: Human development is a comprehensive science that examines all
domains — physical, cognitive, and psychosocial — across the entire life span from
conception to death, not limited to one domain or period.
2. Which of the following best describes the concept of "nature vs. nurture" in
human development?
A. The conflict between physical and emotional growth
B. The debate between hereditary influences and environmental experiences in
shaping development
C. The comparison between childhood and adulthood behaviors
D. The role of culture in determining personality traits
E. The influence of nutrition on cognitive development
Correct Answer: B. The debate between hereditary influences and
environmental experiences in shaping development
EXPERT RATIONALE: The nature vs. nurture debate is foundational in developmental
science. "Nature" refers to genetic/biological factors while "nurture" refers to
environmental influences such as family, culture, and experiences.
3. Development that proceeds from the head downward is referred to as:
A. Proximodistal development
B. Cephalocaudal development
C. Sequential development
D. Hierarchical development
E. Lateral development
Correct Answer: B. Cephalocaudal development
,EXPERT RATIONALE: Cephalocaudal development describes the pattern in which growth
and motor control begin at the head and progress downward toward the feet. This is
observed prominently in prenatal and early postnatal development.
4. Development that proceeds from the center of the body outward to the
extremities is called:
A. Cephalocaudal development
B. Sequential development
C. Proximodistal development
D. Bilateral development
E. Hierarchical development
Correct Answer: C. Proximodistal development
EXPERT RATIONALE: Proximodistal development refers to the pattern in which growth
and motor skills develop from the center of the body (proximal) outward to the
extremities (distal). Infants gain control of their trunk before their fingers.
5. Which theorist proposed the psychosexual stages of development?
A. Erik Erikson
B. Jean Piaget
C. Lev Vygotsky
D. Sigmund Freud
E. Lawrence Kohlberg
Correct Answer: D. Sigmund Freud
EXPERT RATIONALE: Sigmund Freud proposed the psychosexual theory of development,
identifying stages (oral, anal, phallic, latency, genital) through which children progress,
with each stage centered on a different erogenous zone and conflict.
, 6. Erikson's theory of development is best described as:
A. A cognitive theory focused on logical thinking
B. A behavioral theory based on stimulus-response patterns
C. A psychosocial theory emphasizing social and cultural influences across the life
span
D. A biological theory focused on genetic expression
E. A moral theory based on ethical reasoning
Correct Answer: C. A psychosocial theory emphasizing social and cultural
influences across the life span
EXPERT RATIONALE: Erik Erikson expanded on Freud's work by proposing eight
psychosocial stages across the entire life span. Each stage involves a central conflict
between two opposing forces that must be resolved for healthy development.
7. According to Erikson, the central conflict of infancy is:
A. Autonomy vs. shame and doubt
B. Initiative vs. guilt
C. Trust vs. mistrust
D. Identity vs. role confusion
E. Integrity vs. despair
Correct Answer: C. Trust vs. mistrust
EXPERT RATIONALE: Erikson's first stage (birth to 18 months) centers on trust vs.
mistrust. Infants develop trust when caregivers consistently meet their needs. Failure to
do so leads to mistrust and insecurity in later relationships.
