Pediatric Nursing exam 1 practice questions with
complete solutions
The nurse is seeing an adolescent and the parents in the clinic for the first time. Which
should the nurse do first?
a. Introduce him- or herself.
b. Make the family comfortable.
c. Give assurance of privacy.
d. Explain the purpose of the interview. - -ANS: A
The first thing that nurses must do is to introduce themselves to the patient and family.
Parents and other adults should be addressed with appropriate titles unless they specify a
preferred name. Clarification of the purpose of the interview and the nurse's role is the
second thing that should be done. During the initial part of the interview, the nurse should
include general conversation to help make the family feel at ease. The interview also should
take place in an environment as free of distraction as possible. In addition, the nurse should
clarify which information will be shared with other members of the health care team and
any limits to the confidentiality.
-Which is considered a block to effective communication?
a. Using silence
b. Using clichés
c. Directing the focus
d. Defining the problem - -ANS: B
Using stereotyped comments or clichés can block effective communication. After the nurse
uses such trite phrases, parents often do not respond. Silence can be an effective
interviewing tool. Silence permits the interviewee to sort out thoughts and feelings and
search for responses to questions. To be effective, the nurse must be able to direct the focus
of the interview while allowing maximum freedom of expression. By using open-ended
questions and guiding questions, the nurse can obtain the necessary information and
maintain a relationship with the family. The nurse and parent must collaborate and define
the problem that will be the focus of the nursing intervention.
-Which is the single most important factor to consider when communicating with
children?
a. Presence of the child's parent
b. Child's physical condition
c. Child's developmental level
d. Child's nonverbal behaviors - -ANS: C
The nurse must be aware of the child's developmental stage to engage in effective
communication. The use of both verbal and nonverbal communication should be
appropriate to the developmental level. Nonverbal behaviors vary in importance based on
the child's developmental level and physical condition. Although the child's physical
condition is a consideration, developmental level is much more important. The presence of
,parents is important when communicating with young children but may be detrimental
when speaking with adolescents.
-Because children younger than 5 years are egocentric, the nurse should do which when
communicating with them?
a. Focus communication on the child.
b. Use easy analogies when possible.
c. Explain experiences of others to the child.
d. Assure the child that communication is private - -ANS: A
Because children of this age are able to see things only in terms of themselves, the best
approach is to focus communication directly on them. Children should be provided with
information about what they can do and how they will feel. With children who are
egocentric, analogies, experiences, and assurances that communication is private will not
be effective because the child is not capable of understanding.
-The nurse's approach when introducing hospital equipment to a preschooler who seems
afraid should be based on which principle?a. The child may think the equipment is alive.
b. Explaining the equipment will only increase the child's fear.
c. One brief explanation will be enough to reduce the child's fear.
d. The child is too young to understand what the equipment does. - -ANS: A
Young children attribute human characteristics to inanimate objects. They often fear that
the objects may jump, bite, cut, or pinch all by themselves without human direction.
Equipment should be kept out of sight until needed. Simple, concrete explanations about
what the equipment does and how it will feel will help alleviate the child's fear.
Preschoolers need repeated explanations as reassurance.
-When the nurse interviews an adolescent, which is especially important?
a. Focus the discussion on the peer group.
b. Allow an opportunity to express feelings.
c. Use the same type of language as the adolescent.
d. Emphasize that confidentiality will always be maintained. - -ANS: B
Adolescents, like all children, need opportunities to express their feelings. Often they
interject feelings into their words. The nurse must be alert to the words and feelings
expressed. The nurse should maintain a professional relationship with adolescents. To
avoid misunderstanding or misinterpretation of words and phrases used, the nurse should
clarify the terms used, what information will be shared with other members of the health
care team, and any limits to confidentiality. Although the peer group is important to this
age group, the interview should focus on the adolescent.
-The nurse is preparing to assess a 10-month-old infant. He is sitting on his father's lap and
appears to be afraid of the nurse and of what might happen next. Which initial actions by
the nurse should be most appropriate?
a. Initiate a game of peek-a-boo.
b. Ask the infant's father to place the infant on the examination table.
c. Talk softly to the infant while taking him from his father.
d. Undress the infant while he is still sitting on his father's lap. - -ANS: A
,Peek-a-boo is an excellent means of initiating communication with infants while
maintaining a safe, nonthreatening distance. The child will most likely become upset if
separated from his father. As much of the assessment as possible should be done with the
child on the father's lap. The nurse should have the father undress the child as needed
during the examination.
-An 8-year-old girl asks the nurse how the blood pressure apparatus works. The most
appropriate nursing action is which?
a. Ask her why she wants to know.
b. Determine why she is so anxious.
c. Explain in simple terms how it works.
d. Tell her she will see how it works as it is used. - -ANS: C
School-age children require explanations and reasons for everything. They are interested
in the functional aspect of all procedures, objects, and activities. It is appropriate for the
nurse to explain how equipment works and what will happen to the child so that the child
can then observe during the procedure. The nurse should respond positively for requests
for information about procedures and health information. By not responding, the nurse
may be limiting communication with the child. The child is not exhibiting anxiety in asking
how the blood pressure apparatus works, just requesting clarification of what will occur.
-The nurse is having difficulty communicating with a hospitalized 6-year-old child. Which
technique should be most helpful?
a. Recommend that the child keep a diary.
b. Provide supplies for the child to draw a picture.
c. Suggest that the parent read fairy tales to the child.
d. Ask the parent if the child is always uncommunicative. - -ANS: B
Drawing is one of the most valuable forms of communication. Children's drawings tell a
great deal about them because they are projections of the children's inner self. A diary
should be difficult for a 6-year-old child, who is most likely learning to read. The parent
reading fairy tales to the child is a passive activity involving the parent and child; it should
not facilitate communication with the nurse. The child is in a stressful situation and is
probably uncomfortable with strangers, not always uncommunicative.
-Which data should be included in a health history?
a. Review of systems
b. Physical assessment
c. Growth measurements
d. Record of vital signs - -ANS: A
A review of systems is done to elicit information concerning any potential health problems.
This further guides the interview process. Physical assessment, growth measurements, and
a record of vital signs are components of the physical examination.
-The nurse is taking a health history of an adolescent. Which best describes how the chief
complaint should be determined?
a. Request a detailed listing of symptoms.
b. Ask the adolescent, "Why did you come here today?"
, c. Interview the parent away from the adolescent to determine the chief complaint.
d. Use what the adolescent says to determine, in correct medical terminology, what the
problem is. - -ANS: B
The chief complaint is the specific reason for the child's visit to the clinic, office, or hospital.
Because the adolescent is the focus of the history, this is an appropriate way to determine
the chief complaint. Requesting a detailed list of symptoms makes it difficult to determine
the chief complaint. The parent and adolescent may be interviewed separately, but the
nurse should determine the reason the adolescent is seeking attention at this time. The
chief complaint is usually written in the words that the parent or adolescent uses to
describe the reason for seeking help.
-The nurse is interviewing the mother of an infant. The mother reports, "I had a difficult
delivery, and my baby was born prematurely." This information should be recorded under
which heading?
a. History
b. Present illness
c. Chief complaint
d. Review of systems - -ANS: A
The history refers to information that relates to previous aspects of the child's health, not
to the current problem. The difficult delivery and prematurity are important parts of the
infant's history. The history of the present illness is a narrative of the chief complaint from
its earliest onset through its progression to the present. Unless the chief complaint is
directly related to the prematurity, this information is not included in the history of the
present illness. The chief complaint is the specific reason for the child's visit to the clinic,
office, or hospital. It should not include the birth information. The review of systems is a
specific review of each body system. It does not include the premature birth but might
include sequelae such as pulmonary dysfunction.
-Where in the health history does a record of immunizations belong?
a. History
b. Present illness
c. Review of systems
d. Physical assessment - -ANS: A
The history contains information relating to all previous aspects of the child's health status.
The immunizations are appropriately included in the history. The present illness, review of
systems, and physical assessment are not appropriate places to record the immunization
status.
-The nurse is taking a sexual history on an adolescent girl. Which is the best way to
determine whether she is sexually active?
a. Ask her, "Are you sexually active?"
b. Ask her, "Are you having sex with anyone?"
c. Ask her, "Are you having sex with a boyfriend?"
d. Ask both the girl and her parent if she is sexually active. - -ANS: B
Asking the adolescent girl if she is having sex with anyone is a direct question that is well
understood. The phrase sexually active is broadly defined and may not provide specific
complete solutions
The nurse is seeing an adolescent and the parents in the clinic for the first time. Which
should the nurse do first?
a. Introduce him- or herself.
b. Make the family comfortable.
c. Give assurance of privacy.
d. Explain the purpose of the interview. - -ANS: A
The first thing that nurses must do is to introduce themselves to the patient and family.
Parents and other adults should be addressed with appropriate titles unless they specify a
preferred name. Clarification of the purpose of the interview and the nurse's role is the
second thing that should be done. During the initial part of the interview, the nurse should
include general conversation to help make the family feel at ease. The interview also should
take place in an environment as free of distraction as possible. In addition, the nurse should
clarify which information will be shared with other members of the health care team and
any limits to the confidentiality.
-Which is considered a block to effective communication?
a. Using silence
b. Using clichés
c. Directing the focus
d. Defining the problem - -ANS: B
Using stereotyped comments or clichés can block effective communication. After the nurse
uses such trite phrases, parents often do not respond. Silence can be an effective
interviewing tool. Silence permits the interviewee to sort out thoughts and feelings and
search for responses to questions. To be effective, the nurse must be able to direct the focus
of the interview while allowing maximum freedom of expression. By using open-ended
questions and guiding questions, the nurse can obtain the necessary information and
maintain a relationship with the family. The nurse and parent must collaborate and define
the problem that will be the focus of the nursing intervention.
-Which is the single most important factor to consider when communicating with
children?
a. Presence of the child's parent
b. Child's physical condition
c. Child's developmental level
d. Child's nonverbal behaviors - -ANS: C
The nurse must be aware of the child's developmental stage to engage in effective
communication. The use of both verbal and nonverbal communication should be
appropriate to the developmental level. Nonverbal behaviors vary in importance based on
the child's developmental level and physical condition. Although the child's physical
condition is a consideration, developmental level is much more important. The presence of
,parents is important when communicating with young children but may be detrimental
when speaking with adolescents.
-Because children younger than 5 years are egocentric, the nurse should do which when
communicating with them?
a. Focus communication on the child.
b. Use easy analogies when possible.
c. Explain experiences of others to the child.
d. Assure the child that communication is private - -ANS: A
Because children of this age are able to see things only in terms of themselves, the best
approach is to focus communication directly on them. Children should be provided with
information about what they can do and how they will feel. With children who are
egocentric, analogies, experiences, and assurances that communication is private will not
be effective because the child is not capable of understanding.
-The nurse's approach when introducing hospital equipment to a preschooler who seems
afraid should be based on which principle?a. The child may think the equipment is alive.
b. Explaining the equipment will only increase the child's fear.
c. One brief explanation will be enough to reduce the child's fear.
d. The child is too young to understand what the equipment does. - -ANS: A
Young children attribute human characteristics to inanimate objects. They often fear that
the objects may jump, bite, cut, or pinch all by themselves without human direction.
Equipment should be kept out of sight until needed. Simple, concrete explanations about
what the equipment does and how it will feel will help alleviate the child's fear.
Preschoolers need repeated explanations as reassurance.
-When the nurse interviews an adolescent, which is especially important?
a. Focus the discussion on the peer group.
b. Allow an opportunity to express feelings.
c. Use the same type of language as the adolescent.
d. Emphasize that confidentiality will always be maintained. - -ANS: B
Adolescents, like all children, need opportunities to express their feelings. Often they
interject feelings into their words. The nurse must be alert to the words and feelings
expressed. The nurse should maintain a professional relationship with adolescents. To
avoid misunderstanding or misinterpretation of words and phrases used, the nurse should
clarify the terms used, what information will be shared with other members of the health
care team, and any limits to confidentiality. Although the peer group is important to this
age group, the interview should focus on the adolescent.
-The nurse is preparing to assess a 10-month-old infant. He is sitting on his father's lap and
appears to be afraid of the nurse and of what might happen next. Which initial actions by
the nurse should be most appropriate?
a. Initiate a game of peek-a-boo.
b. Ask the infant's father to place the infant on the examination table.
c. Talk softly to the infant while taking him from his father.
d. Undress the infant while he is still sitting on his father's lap. - -ANS: A
,Peek-a-boo is an excellent means of initiating communication with infants while
maintaining a safe, nonthreatening distance. The child will most likely become upset if
separated from his father. As much of the assessment as possible should be done with the
child on the father's lap. The nurse should have the father undress the child as needed
during the examination.
-An 8-year-old girl asks the nurse how the blood pressure apparatus works. The most
appropriate nursing action is which?
a. Ask her why she wants to know.
b. Determine why she is so anxious.
c. Explain in simple terms how it works.
d. Tell her she will see how it works as it is used. - -ANS: C
School-age children require explanations and reasons for everything. They are interested
in the functional aspect of all procedures, objects, and activities. It is appropriate for the
nurse to explain how equipment works and what will happen to the child so that the child
can then observe during the procedure. The nurse should respond positively for requests
for information about procedures and health information. By not responding, the nurse
may be limiting communication with the child. The child is not exhibiting anxiety in asking
how the blood pressure apparatus works, just requesting clarification of what will occur.
-The nurse is having difficulty communicating with a hospitalized 6-year-old child. Which
technique should be most helpful?
a. Recommend that the child keep a diary.
b. Provide supplies for the child to draw a picture.
c. Suggest that the parent read fairy tales to the child.
d. Ask the parent if the child is always uncommunicative. - -ANS: B
Drawing is one of the most valuable forms of communication. Children's drawings tell a
great deal about them because they are projections of the children's inner self. A diary
should be difficult for a 6-year-old child, who is most likely learning to read. The parent
reading fairy tales to the child is a passive activity involving the parent and child; it should
not facilitate communication with the nurse. The child is in a stressful situation and is
probably uncomfortable with strangers, not always uncommunicative.
-Which data should be included in a health history?
a. Review of systems
b. Physical assessment
c. Growth measurements
d. Record of vital signs - -ANS: A
A review of systems is done to elicit information concerning any potential health problems.
This further guides the interview process. Physical assessment, growth measurements, and
a record of vital signs are components of the physical examination.
-The nurse is taking a health history of an adolescent. Which best describes how the chief
complaint should be determined?
a. Request a detailed listing of symptoms.
b. Ask the adolescent, "Why did you come here today?"
, c. Interview the parent away from the adolescent to determine the chief complaint.
d. Use what the adolescent says to determine, in correct medical terminology, what the
problem is. - -ANS: B
The chief complaint is the specific reason for the child's visit to the clinic, office, or hospital.
Because the adolescent is the focus of the history, this is an appropriate way to determine
the chief complaint. Requesting a detailed list of symptoms makes it difficult to determine
the chief complaint. The parent and adolescent may be interviewed separately, but the
nurse should determine the reason the adolescent is seeking attention at this time. The
chief complaint is usually written in the words that the parent or adolescent uses to
describe the reason for seeking help.
-The nurse is interviewing the mother of an infant. The mother reports, "I had a difficult
delivery, and my baby was born prematurely." This information should be recorded under
which heading?
a. History
b. Present illness
c. Chief complaint
d. Review of systems - -ANS: A
The history refers to information that relates to previous aspects of the child's health, not
to the current problem. The difficult delivery and prematurity are important parts of the
infant's history. The history of the present illness is a narrative of the chief complaint from
its earliest onset through its progression to the present. Unless the chief complaint is
directly related to the prematurity, this information is not included in the history of the
present illness. The chief complaint is the specific reason for the child's visit to the clinic,
office, or hospital. It should not include the birth information. The review of systems is a
specific review of each body system. It does not include the premature birth but might
include sequelae such as pulmonary dysfunction.
-Where in the health history does a record of immunizations belong?
a. History
b. Present illness
c. Review of systems
d. Physical assessment - -ANS: A
The history contains information relating to all previous aspects of the child's health status.
The immunizations are appropriately included in the history. The present illness, review of
systems, and physical assessment are not appropriate places to record the immunization
status.
-The nurse is taking a sexual history on an adolescent girl. Which is the best way to
determine whether she is sexually active?
a. Ask her, "Are you sexually active?"
b. Ask her, "Are you having sex with anyone?"
c. Ask her, "Are you having sex with a boyfriend?"
d. Ask both the girl and her parent if she is sexually active. - -ANS: B
Asking the adolescent girl if she is having sex with anyone is a direct question that is well
understood. The phrase sexually active is broadly defined and may not provide specific
