Child life Certification Practice Test
Questions and Answers
A 6-year-old is having a procedure in 30 minutes. How should the child life specialist
respond? - correct Answer-Make an assessment and follow up with appropriate
interventions
A child is going through a difficult time with a procedure. What should the CLS do in
order to promote coping? - correct Answer-Offer choices about what the child will do in
the procedure
What will a CLS notice when observing reactions of children to hospitalization? - correct
Answer-They vary in character and intensity
A 6-year-old child must receive daily painful injections and fights and screams when his
mother is present but remains docile when he is alone. The mother becomes very upset
during the procedures and says repeatedly, "I'm so sorry this hurts so much," and
begins to cry. What is the most appropriate intervention? - correct Answer-Counsel the
mother on methods to reduce her own and the child's stress
All of the following are appropriate bath toys for a 1 to 3-month-old child except:
- Mobile
- Rattle
- Crib mirror (unbreakable)
- Bath toys - correct Answer-Bath toys
In Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, which conflict is typical of those 6 to
12 years old? - correct Answer-Industry vs inferiority
What is the best approach for parents to take with the 5 and 7-year-old siblings of a
critically ill neonate? - correct Answer-Allow the siblings to visit the neonate in the
hospital
Al of the following stimulate the one-month-old infant's brain growth/cognitive abilities
except:
- Providing frequent skin-to-skin physical contact
- Allowing the infant to "cry it out" to avoid spoiling her
- Talking to the infant during feeding
- Providing adequate nutrition - correct Answer-Allowing the infant to "cry it out" to avoid
spoiling her
,A 4-year-old girl is learning to write the alphabet but sometimes writes letters, such as B
or D, backwards and gets confused as to the difference between some letters, such as
M and W. What is the best response? - correct Answer-"You're learning a lot of letters!"
The CLS is planning an activity for a 30-bed pediatric department specializing in chronic
illness. Children range in age from 18 months to 17 years. What activity is most likely to
engage the majority of children? - correct Answer-Visits from therapy dogs
What response to "I'm afraid of having surgery" shows reflective listening? - correct
Answer-"Surgery is scary because you don't know what's going to happen"
A 5-year-old child is going to have surgery to repair an umbilical hernia. All the following
should be included in the child's preparation except:
- A real or virtual tour of the hospital
- Demonstrations with a doll
- A detailed explanation of the surgery
- Advance preparation - correct Answer-A detailed explanation of the surgery
The child life team has received a donation of $1500 to educate the public (families,
community) about the benefits of utilizing child life specialists. What strategy is the most
efficient and cost-effective? - correct Answer-Print brochures about services offered
What is the primary goal of preparing children for medical procedures? - correct
Answer-Reduce child's anxiety and fear
At which stage in Piaget's theory of cognitive development do children engage in
magical thinking and show egocentrism? - correct Answer-Pre operational (stage 2)
All of the following are elements of family-centered care except:
- Discussion of test results
- Assistance with procedures and daily care
- Restricted visitation (hours, age, relationship to patient)
- Participation in plan of care - correct Answer-Restricted visitation (hours, age,
relationship to patient)
An 8-year-old child is awakened at 12 AM and 4 AM for assessment and at 2 AM and 6
AM for medications. When the CLS reviews the records, she finds the child is sleeping
only about 6 hours nightly due to these interruptions. Which of the following is the most
appropriate action?
- Schedule 2-hour naps in the afternoons so the child gets adequate sleep
- Request that the physician order a sleeping medication for the child
- Teach the child relaxation techniques to help her sleep better
- Work with the medical staff to reschedule medications to 12 AM and 4 AM - correct
Answer-Work with the medical staff to reschedule medications to 12 AM and 4 AM
,According to the CHEOPS pain scale, which of the following combinations of symptoms
may indicate that a 1-year-old is having pain after surgery?
- Neutral facial expression, random movements of lower extremities
- Whimpering, restless movement of legs
- Inactive, not touching or reaching for incision
- Not crying, inactive, random movements of lower extremities - correct Answer-
Whimpering, restless movements of legs
A child does not participate in team sports, and he admires older children in gangs. He
fails to follow rules or understand casual relationships. He has made poor academic
progress in reading, writing, math, and penmanship, and has problems throwing or
catching a ball. These findings are most likely associated with developmental delays or
problems with what age? - correct Answer-Age 10
At what age should a toddler be able to balance on one foot and kick at objects, such as
a ball, with the other foot? - correct Answer-24 months
A 4-year-old child hospitalized for cancer treatment refuses to eat anything other than
bananas, milkshakes, spaghetti, and hot dogs. What is the best approach? - correct
Answer-Fortify these foods when possible and allow the child to eat whatever the child
likes
What of the following is the most important to facilitate cooperation in interdisciplinary
meetings?
- Clarifying information
- Responding to facts rather than feelings
- Active listening
- Open communication - correct Answer-Open communication
All of the following are good methods to use for distracting a young child from a
procedure (such as a needle insertion) except:
- Blowing bubbles
- Singing
- Self-hypnotizing
- Reading - correct Answer-Self-hypnotizing
An obese 15-year-old girl diagnosed with type 2 diabetes needs to change her diet and
lose weight. She has 12 and 13-year-old siblings. What approach is most likely to be
successful? - correct Answer-Changing eating habits for the entire family
A 12-year-old child hospitalized for AIDS treatment is ambulatory and has started to
walk the halls. The most important consideration is:
- The child should have access to directly supervised activities only
- The child should be advised exactly where he can and cannot go
- The child should be told to avoid contact with other people
, - The child should ambulate only when a parent is present - correct Answer-The child
should be advised exactly where he can and cannot go
Therapeutic play includes all the following except:
- Doll reenactment play to help the child express feelings
- Educational play to teach the child about medical treatments
- Health based play to promote physical well-being
- Self-chosen recreational play - correct Answer-Self-chosen recreational play
Which of the following is the first step in problem solving?
- Define the issue
- Collect data
- Make a decision
- Consider reasons for action - correct Answer-Define the issue
A 17-year-old adolescent with asthma has started smoking, resulting in repeated
hospitalizations for exacerbation of symptoms. What is the best initial approach to
convince the adolescent to consider smoking cessation? - correct Answer-"What do you
think you could do to help control your asthma?"
What theory includes 9 personality parameters to describe how children (beginning at
about 4 weeks) respond to events? - correct Answer-Temperament Theory (Chase and
Thomas)
Which of the following terms is associated with a child who tries to get information about
a stressful event and remains alert to the event?
- Vigilant coping
- Avoidant coping
- Trait anxiety
- State anxiety - correct Answer-Vigilant coping
A large facility has four, 5-person CLS teams working 8AM to 4PM and two, 5-person
teams working 4PM to 12AM. All members are required to attend a monthly inservice
training and are paid time-and-a-half if the training is outside normal working hours.
Which is the best time to schedule the training?
- 7 to 8 AM
- 8 to 9 AM
- 3 to 4 PM
- 4 to 5 PM - correct Answer-3 to 4 PM
When speaking softly to soothe a 10-day-old neonate, how far away from the face
should the caregiver hold the infant?
- 2 to 4 inches
- 4 to 8 inches
- 8 to 12 inches
- 12 to 16 inches - correct Answer-8 to 12 inches
Questions and Answers
A 6-year-old is having a procedure in 30 minutes. How should the child life specialist
respond? - correct Answer-Make an assessment and follow up with appropriate
interventions
A child is going through a difficult time with a procedure. What should the CLS do in
order to promote coping? - correct Answer-Offer choices about what the child will do in
the procedure
What will a CLS notice when observing reactions of children to hospitalization? - correct
Answer-They vary in character and intensity
A 6-year-old child must receive daily painful injections and fights and screams when his
mother is present but remains docile when he is alone. The mother becomes very upset
during the procedures and says repeatedly, "I'm so sorry this hurts so much," and
begins to cry. What is the most appropriate intervention? - correct Answer-Counsel the
mother on methods to reduce her own and the child's stress
All of the following are appropriate bath toys for a 1 to 3-month-old child except:
- Mobile
- Rattle
- Crib mirror (unbreakable)
- Bath toys - correct Answer-Bath toys
In Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, which conflict is typical of those 6 to
12 years old? - correct Answer-Industry vs inferiority
What is the best approach for parents to take with the 5 and 7-year-old siblings of a
critically ill neonate? - correct Answer-Allow the siblings to visit the neonate in the
hospital
Al of the following stimulate the one-month-old infant's brain growth/cognitive abilities
except:
- Providing frequent skin-to-skin physical contact
- Allowing the infant to "cry it out" to avoid spoiling her
- Talking to the infant during feeding
- Providing adequate nutrition - correct Answer-Allowing the infant to "cry it out" to avoid
spoiling her
,A 4-year-old girl is learning to write the alphabet but sometimes writes letters, such as B
or D, backwards and gets confused as to the difference between some letters, such as
M and W. What is the best response? - correct Answer-"You're learning a lot of letters!"
The CLS is planning an activity for a 30-bed pediatric department specializing in chronic
illness. Children range in age from 18 months to 17 years. What activity is most likely to
engage the majority of children? - correct Answer-Visits from therapy dogs
What response to "I'm afraid of having surgery" shows reflective listening? - correct
Answer-"Surgery is scary because you don't know what's going to happen"
A 5-year-old child is going to have surgery to repair an umbilical hernia. All the following
should be included in the child's preparation except:
- A real or virtual tour of the hospital
- Demonstrations with a doll
- A detailed explanation of the surgery
- Advance preparation - correct Answer-A detailed explanation of the surgery
The child life team has received a donation of $1500 to educate the public (families,
community) about the benefits of utilizing child life specialists. What strategy is the most
efficient and cost-effective? - correct Answer-Print brochures about services offered
What is the primary goal of preparing children for medical procedures? - correct
Answer-Reduce child's anxiety and fear
At which stage in Piaget's theory of cognitive development do children engage in
magical thinking and show egocentrism? - correct Answer-Pre operational (stage 2)
All of the following are elements of family-centered care except:
- Discussion of test results
- Assistance with procedures and daily care
- Restricted visitation (hours, age, relationship to patient)
- Participation in plan of care - correct Answer-Restricted visitation (hours, age,
relationship to patient)
An 8-year-old child is awakened at 12 AM and 4 AM for assessment and at 2 AM and 6
AM for medications. When the CLS reviews the records, she finds the child is sleeping
only about 6 hours nightly due to these interruptions. Which of the following is the most
appropriate action?
- Schedule 2-hour naps in the afternoons so the child gets adequate sleep
- Request that the physician order a sleeping medication for the child
- Teach the child relaxation techniques to help her sleep better
- Work with the medical staff to reschedule medications to 12 AM and 4 AM - correct
Answer-Work with the medical staff to reschedule medications to 12 AM and 4 AM
,According to the CHEOPS pain scale, which of the following combinations of symptoms
may indicate that a 1-year-old is having pain after surgery?
- Neutral facial expression, random movements of lower extremities
- Whimpering, restless movement of legs
- Inactive, not touching or reaching for incision
- Not crying, inactive, random movements of lower extremities - correct Answer-
Whimpering, restless movements of legs
A child does not participate in team sports, and he admires older children in gangs. He
fails to follow rules or understand casual relationships. He has made poor academic
progress in reading, writing, math, and penmanship, and has problems throwing or
catching a ball. These findings are most likely associated with developmental delays or
problems with what age? - correct Answer-Age 10
At what age should a toddler be able to balance on one foot and kick at objects, such as
a ball, with the other foot? - correct Answer-24 months
A 4-year-old child hospitalized for cancer treatment refuses to eat anything other than
bananas, milkshakes, spaghetti, and hot dogs. What is the best approach? - correct
Answer-Fortify these foods when possible and allow the child to eat whatever the child
likes
What of the following is the most important to facilitate cooperation in interdisciplinary
meetings?
- Clarifying information
- Responding to facts rather than feelings
- Active listening
- Open communication - correct Answer-Open communication
All of the following are good methods to use for distracting a young child from a
procedure (such as a needle insertion) except:
- Blowing bubbles
- Singing
- Self-hypnotizing
- Reading - correct Answer-Self-hypnotizing
An obese 15-year-old girl diagnosed with type 2 diabetes needs to change her diet and
lose weight. She has 12 and 13-year-old siblings. What approach is most likely to be
successful? - correct Answer-Changing eating habits for the entire family
A 12-year-old child hospitalized for AIDS treatment is ambulatory and has started to
walk the halls. The most important consideration is:
- The child should have access to directly supervised activities only
- The child should be advised exactly where he can and cannot go
- The child should be told to avoid contact with other people
, - The child should ambulate only when a parent is present - correct Answer-The child
should be advised exactly where he can and cannot go
Therapeutic play includes all the following except:
- Doll reenactment play to help the child express feelings
- Educational play to teach the child about medical treatments
- Health based play to promote physical well-being
- Self-chosen recreational play - correct Answer-Self-chosen recreational play
Which of the following is the first step in problem solving?
- Define the issue
- Collect data
- Make a decision
- Consider reasons for action - correct Answer-Define the issue
A 17-year-old adolescent with asthma has started smoking, resulting in repeated
hospitalizations for exacerbation of symptoms. What is the best initial approach to
convince the adolescent to consider smoking cessation? - correct Answer-"What do you
think you could do to help control your asthma?"
What theory includes 9 personality parameters to describe how children (beginning at
about 4 weeks) respond to events? - correct Answer-Temperament Theory (Chase and
Thomas)
Which of the following terms is associated with a child who tries to get information about
a stressful event and remains alert to the event?
- Vigilant coping
- Avoidant coping
- Trait anxiety
- State anxiety - correct Answer-Vigilant coping
A large facility has four, 5-person CLS teams working 8AM to 4PM and two, 5-person
teams working 4PM to 12AM. All members are required to attend a monthly inservice
training and are paid time-and-a-half if the training is outside normal working hours.
Which is the best time to schedule the training?
- 7 to 8 AM
- 8 to 9 AM
- 3 to 4 PM
- 4 to 5 PM - correct Answer-3 to 4 PM
When speaking softly to soothe a 10-day-old neonate, how far away from the face
should the caregiver hold the infant?
- 2 to 4 inches
- 4 to 8 inches
- 8 to 12 inches
- 12 to 16 inches - correct Answer-8 to 12 inches
