NURS 6541 / NURS 6541 PRIMARY CARE OF
ADOLESCENTS & CHILDREN EXAM PREP 2025/2026 |
WALDEN UNIVERSITY & NURSING PROGRAM STUDY
GUIDE WITH 225+ VERIFIED QUESTIONS, CORRECT
ANSWERS & DETAILED RATIONALES
1. A nurse is assessing a 15-year-old with suspected depression. Which finding
would be most concerning?
(A) Withdrawal from friends
(B) Expressing thoughts of self-harm
(C) Changes in sleep patterns
(D) Decreased academic performance
Rationale: Thoughts of self-harm are a critical concern and require immediate
intervention due to the risk of suicide.
2. A parent brings their 10-year-old child to the clinic for a well-child visit. Which
immunization should the nurse ensure is up to date?
(A) MMR
(B) Tdap
(C) Polio
(D) Hepatitis B
Rationale: The Tdap booster is recommended around age 11-12 and is crucial for
preventing tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis.
3. A nurse is providing education to a parent about managing their child's asthma.
Which statement indicates a need for further teaching?
(A) "I will keep a record of my child's peak flow readings."
(B) "I can stop the medication if my child feels fine."
(C) "I should identify and avoid triggers."
(D) "I need to ensure my child uses the inhaler correctly."
Rationale: Asthma medications should not be discontinued without consulting a
healthcare provider, as symptoms can recur.
4. A nurse is assessing a 6-year-old child with a history of attention-
deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Which behavior would the nurse expect to
see?
(A) Being overly compliant
(B) Difficulty focusing on tasks
(C) Consistently following instructions
,(D) High levels of interest in activities
Rationale: Children with ADHD often struggle with attention and may find it challenging
to focus on tasks.
5. A nurse is educating a parent about the signs of dehydration in a child. Which
sign is most concerning?
(A) Dry mouth
(B) Lethargy
(C) Decreased urine output
(D) Thirst
Rationale: Lethargy is a critical sign of severe dehydration and requires immediate
medical attention.
6. A 12-year-old is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. What is the priority teaching
topic for the nurse?
(A) Blood glucose monitoring
(B) Dietary restrictions
(C) Exercise guidelines
(D) Insulin administration
Rationale: Blood glucose monitoring is essential for managing diabetes effectively and
preventing complications.
7. A nurse is assessing a child with suspected pneumonia. Which finding would
support the diagnosis?
(A) Clear lung sounds
(B) Dullness to percussion
(C) Normal respiratory rate
(D) Absence of fever
Rationale: Dullness to percussion may indicate fluid in the lungs, supporting a
diagnosis of pneumonia.
8. A parent is concerned about their child’s rapid weight gain. Which condition
should the nurse assess for during the visit?
(A) Hypothyroidism
(B) Asthma
(C) Diabetes
(D) Anemia
Rationale: Hypothyroidism can lead to rapid weight gain due to a slowed metabolism.
,9. A nurse is caring for an adolescent with anorexia nervosa. What is the priority
nursing diagnosis?
(A) Impaired social interaction
(B) Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements
(C) Anxiety
(D) Risk for injury
Rationale: The priority concern is the imbalanced nutrition that results from inadequate
food intake.
10. A nurse is discussing safe sleep practices with new parents of an infant. Which
statement indicates effective teaching?
(A) "I will place my baby on their stomach to sleep."
(B) "I will always put my baby to sleep on their back."
(C) "I can use soft bedding in the crib."
(D) "I will allow my baby to sleep with me."
Rationale: Placing infants on their backs to sleep reduces the risk of sudden infant
death syndrome (SIDS).
11. A nurse is evaluating a 14-year-old for scoliosis. Which finding would indicate
the need for further evaluation?
(A) Asymmetrical shoulders
(B) Uneven hips
(C) Back pain
(D) Normal range of motion
Rationale: Uneven hips may indicate a structural issue that requires further evaluation
for scoliosis.
12. A nurse is teaching a parent about the signs of developmental milestones in a 2-
year-old. Which statement indicates a need for further teaching?
(A) "My child can run and jump."
(B) "My child can speak in full sentences."
(C) "My child can stack blocks."
(D) "My child can follow simple instructions."
Rationale: By age 2, children typically speak in 2-3 word phrases, not full sentences.
, 13. A nurse is assessing a child for signs of abuse. Which behavior might indicate
abuse?
(A) Cooperative behavior
(B) Fear of going home
(C) Strong attachment to caregivers
(D) Healthy peer relationships
Rationale: A fear of going home can be a significant indicator of potential abuse.
14. A nurse is caring for an adolescent with obesity. Which intervention should be
prioritized?
(A) Encouraging physical activity
(B) Restricting caloric intake
(C) Providing dietary supplements
(D) Promoting weight loss surgery
Rationale: Encouraging physical activity is essential for promoting healthy weight
management and overall well-being.
15. A nurse is educating a parent about the importance of HPV vaccination for their
adolescent child. Which statement reflects understanding?
(A) "This vaccine is only for girls."
(B) "It is given in a single dose."
(C) "It helps prevent certain types of cancer."
(D) "I can wait until my child is older."
Rationale: The HPV vaccine is vital for preventing certain cancers and is recommended
for both boys and girls.
16. A nurse is assessing an infant during a well-child visit. Which finding would be
concerning?
(A) Smiling at caregivers
(B) Not responding to their name
(C) Tracking objects with eyes
(D) Coos and babbles
Rationale: Not responding to their name may indicate a developmental delay or hearing
issue.
17. A nurse is caring for a child with croup. Which symptom would indicate a
worsening condition?
ADOLESCENTS & CHILDREN EXAM PREP 2025/2026 |
WALDEN UNIVERSITY & NURSING PROGRAM STUDY
GUIDE WITH 225+ VERIFIED QUESTIONS, CORRECT
ANSWERS & DETAILED RATIONALES
1. A nurse is assessing a 15-year-old with suspected depression. Which finding
would be most concerning?
(A) Withdrawal from friends
(B) Expressing thoughts of self-harm
(C) Changes in sleep patterns
(D) Decreased academic performance
Rationale: Thoughts of self-harm are a critical concern and require immediate
intervention due to the risk of suicide.
2. A parent brings their 10-year-old child to the clinic for a well-child visit. Which
immunization should the nurse ensure is up to date?
(A) MMR
(B) Tdap
(C) Polio
(D) Hepatitis B
Rationale: The Tdap booster is recommended around age 11-12 and is crucial for
preventing tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis.
3. A nurse is providing education to a parent about managing their child's asthma.
Which statement indicates a need for further teaching?
(A) "I will keep a record of my child's peak flow readings."
(B) "I can stop the medication if my child feels fine."
(C) "I should identify and avoid triggers."
(D) "I need to ensure my child uses the inhaler correctly."
Rationale: Asthma medications should not be discontinued without consulting a
healthcare provider, as symptoms can recur.
4. A nurse is assessing a 6-year-old child with a history of attention-
deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Which behavior would the nurse expect to
see?
(A) Being overly compliant
(B) Difficulty focusing on tasks
(C) Consistently following instructions
,(D) High levels of interest in activities
Rationale: Children with ADHD often struggle with attention and may find it challenging
to focus on tasks.
5. A nurse is educating a parent about the signs of dehydration in a child. Which
sign is most concerning?
(A) Dry mouth
(B) Lethargy
(C) Decreased urine output
(D) Thirst
Rationale: Lethargy is a critical sign of severe dehydration and requires immediate
medical attention.
6. A 12-year-old is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. What is the priority teaching
topic for the nurse?
(A) Blood glucose monitoring
(B) Dietary restrictions
(C) Exercise guidelines
(D) Insulin administration
Rationale: Blood glucose monitoring is essential for managing diabetes effectively and
preventing complications.
7. A nurse is assessing a child with suspected pneumonia. Which finding would
support the diagnosis?
(A) Clear lung sounds
(B) Dullness to percussion
(C) Normal respiratory rate
(D) Absence of fever
Rationale: Dullness to percussion may indicate fluid in the lungs, supporting a
diagnosis of pneumonia.
8. A parent is concerned about their child’s rapid weight gain. Which condition
should the nurse assess for during the visit?
(A) Hypothyroidism
(B) Asthma
(C) Diabetes
(D) Anemia
Rationale: Hypothyroidism can lead to rapid weight gain due to a slowed metabolism.
,9. A nurse is caring for an adolescent with anorexia nervosa. What is the priority
nursing diagnosis?
(A) Impaired social interaction
(B) Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements
(C) Anxiety
(D) Risk for injury
Rationale: The priority concern is the imbalanced nutrition that results from inadequate
food intake.
10. A nurse is discussing safe sleep practices with new parents of an infant. Which
statement indicates effective teaching?
(A) "I will place my baby on their stomach to sleep."
(B) "I will always put my baby to sleep on their back."
(C) "I can use soft bedding in the crib."
(D) "I will allow my baby to sleep with me."
Rationale: Placing infants on their backs to sleep reduces the risk of sudden infant
death syndrome (SIDS).
11. A nurse is evaluating a 14-year-old for scoliosis. Which finding would indicate
the need for further evaluation?
(A) Asymmetrical shoulders
(B) Uneven hips
(C) Back pain
(D) Normal range of motion
Rationale: Uneven hips may indicate a structural issue that requires further evaluation
for scoliosis.
12. A nurse is teaching a parent about the signs of developmental milestones in a 2-
year-old. Which statement indicates a need for further teaching?
(A) "My child can run and jump."
(B) "My child can speak in full sentences."
(C) "My child can stack blocks."
(D) "My child can follow simple instructions."
Rationale: By age 2, children typically speak in 2-3 word phrases, not full sentences.
, 13. A nurse is assessing a child for signs of abuse. Which behavior might indicate
abuse?
(A) Cooperative behavior
(B) Fear of going home
(C) Strong attachment to caregivers
(D) Healthy peer relationships
Rationale: A fear of going home can be a significant indicator of potential abuse.
14. A nurse is caring for an adolescent with obesity. Which intervention should be
prioritized?
(A) Encouraging physical activity
(B) Restricting caloric intake
(C) Providing dietary supplements
(D) Promoting weight loss surgery
Rationale: Encouraging physical activity is essential for promoting healthy weight
management and overall well-being.
15. A nurse is educating a parent about the importance of HPV vaccination for their
adolescent child. Which statement reflects understanding?
(A) "This vaccine is only for girls."
(B) "It is given in a single dose."
(C) "It helps prevent certain types of cancer."
(D) "I can wait until my child is older."
Rationale: The HPV vaccine is vital for preventing certain cancers and is recommended
for both boys and girls.
16. A nurse is assessing an infant during a well-child visit. Which finding would be
concerning?
(A) Smiling at caregivers
(B) Not responding to their name
(C) Tracking objects with eyes
(D) Coos and babbles
Rationale: Not responding to their name may indicate a developmental delay or hearing
issue.
17. A nurse is caring for a child with croup. Which symptom would indicate a
worsening condition?
