NUR 203/NUR203 Exam 1 V1 | Pediatric
Nursing Q&A with Rationale | Fortis
College
1. A nurse is assessing a 12-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which weight finding
should the nurse expect if the infant’s birth weight was 7 lbs (3.2 kg)?
A. 14 lbs (6.4 kg)
B. 28 lbs (12.8 kg)
C. 21 lbs (9.6 kg)
D. 10.5 lbs (4.8 kg)
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: By the age of 12 months, an infant’s birth weight should triple. Since
the birth weight was 7 lbs, the expected weight at one year is 21 lbs. This is a standard
physical growth milestone used to assess nutritional status and overall health in the first
year of life.
2. According to Erikson, which developmental task should the nurse expect a toddler (ages 1
to 3 years) to be working on?
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. Initiative vs. Guilt
C. Industry vs. Inferiority
,D. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: The toddler stage focuses on achieving a sense of autonomy and self-
control over physical skills. Successfully navigating this stage leads to independence, while
failure or over-criticism results in shame and doubt. Nurses should encourage toddlers to
perform simple tasks for themselves to support this developmental milestone.
3. At what age should the nurse instruct parents that the posterior fontanel typically closes?
A. 4 to 6 months
B. 12 to 18 months
C. 6 to 8 weeks
D. 9 to 10 months
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: The posterior fontanel is the smaller, triangular soft spot on the back
of the head and usually closes by 2 months (6 to 8 weeks). In contrast, the anterior fontanel
is larger and closes much later, typically between 12 and 18 months. Monitoring fontanel
closure is a critical part of the pediatric neurological and physical assessment.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer an immunization to a 4-year-old child. Which Piagetian
stage of cognitive development is this child in?
A. Sensorimotor
, B. Concrete Operational
C. Preoperational
D. Formal Operational
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: The preoperational stage occurs from ages 2 to 7 years. Children in
this stage exhibit egocentrism, magical thinking, and animism. Understanding this helps the
nurse use appropriate therapeutic play and simple explanations when preparing the child
for procedures.
5. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as a potential sign of
developmental delay in a 10-month-old infant?
A. Unable to walk independently
B. Unable to sit steadily without support
C. Displays stranger anxiety
D. Uses a pincer grasp to pick up small objects
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Most infants should be able to sit steadily without support by 8
months of age. While walking independently is not expected until around 12 months, the
inability to sit at 10 months warrants further evaluation. Early identification of gross motor
delays is essential for timely intervention and referral.
Nursing Q&A with Rationale | Fortis
College
1. A nurse is assessing a 12-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which weight finding
should the nurse expect if the infant’s birth weight was 7 lbs (3.2 kg)?
A. 14 lbs (6.4 kg)
B. 28 lbs (12.8 kg)
C. 21 lbs (9.6 kg)
D. 10.5 lbs (4.8 kg)
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: By the age of 12 months, an infant’s birth weight should triple. Since
the birth weight was 7 lbs, the expected weight at one year is 21 lbs. This is a standard
physical growth milestone used to assess nutritional status and overall health in the first
year of life.
2. According to Erikson, which developmental task should the nurse expect a toddler (ages 1
to 3 years) to be working on?
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. Initiative vs. Guilt
C. Industry vs. Inferiority
,D. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: The toddler stage focuses on achieving a sense of autonomy and self-
control over physical skills. Successfully navigating this stage leads to independence, while
failure or over-criticism results in shame and doubt. Nurses should encourage toddlers to
perform simple tasks for themselves to support this developmental milestone.
3. At what age should the nurse instruct parents that the posterior fontanel typically closes?
A. 4 to 6 months
B. 12 to 18 months
C. 6 to 8 weeks
D. 9 to 10 months
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: The posterior fontanel is the smaller, triangular soft spot on the back
of the head and usually closes by 2 months (6 to 8 weeks). In contrast, the anterior fontanel
is larger and closes much later, typically between 12 and 18 months. Monitoring fontanel
closure is a critical part of the pediatric neurological and physical assessment.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer an immunization to a 4-year-old child. Which Piagetian
stage of cognitive development is this child in?
A. Sensorimotor
, B. Concrete Operational
C. Preoperational
D. Formal Operational
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: The preoperational stage occurs from ages 2 to 7 years. Children in
this stage exhibit egocentrism, magical thinking, and animism. Understanding this helps the
nurse use appropriate therapeutic play and simple explanations when preparing the child
for procedures.
5. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as a potential sign of
developmental delay in a 10-month-old infant?
A. Unable to walk independently
B. Unable to sit steadily without support
C. Displays stranger anxiety
D. Uses a pincer grasp to pick up small objects
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Most infants should be able to sit steadily without support by 8
months of age. While walking independently is not expected until around 12 months, the
inability to sit at 10 months warrants further evaluation. Early identification of gross motor
delays is essential for timely intervention and referral.
