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WorksheetsPediatric Nursing Assessment and Health Promotion MCQs
Total questions: 41
Worksheet time: 21mins
The nurse begins assessing an irritable 6-month-old. Which sequence of vital signs is most appropriate to obtain accurate results?
Temperature, pulse, respirations
Respirations, apical pulse, temperature
Apical pulse, respirations, temperature
Temperature, respirations, apical pulse
The nurse counts an infant’s respiratory rate by observing abdominal movements for 30 seconds. The rate is 28 breaths/min. What should the nurse do next?
Recount for a full minute to confirm accuracy
Document the finding as normal
Notify the provider immediately
Assess oxygen saturation
During assessment, the nurse notes the PMI at the fourth intercostal space, just left of the midclavicular line. How should this finding be interpreted?
Normal for an infant or toddler
Sign of cardiomegaly
Indicates left ventricular failure
Requires further cardiac testing
A new parent reports their 2-month-old “feels warm” and has used a forehead scanner. Which teaching by the nurse is most appropriate?
“Forehead thermometers are accurate for infants under 3 months.”
“Rectal temperature provides the most reliable core reading for infants.”
“Oral temperatures are best for confirming fever in infants.”
“Ear thermometers are safe and reliable for 2-month-olds.”
When assessing a fussy infant, the nurse should obtain which vital sign first to ensure accuracy?
Apical pulse
Temperature
Respirations
Blood pressure
A 9-month-old previously tracked at the 50th percentile for weight and length is now at the 10th percentile. Which nursing action is priority?
Ask about recent feeding patterns and illness
Reweigh the infant in one month
Encourage more solid food intake
Notify child protective services
The nurse reviews growth data and finds the infant’s head circumference percentile has dropped significantly while weight and length are stable. What is the nurse’s best interpretation?
Normal variation with growth
Possible delayed brain development
Sign of dehydration
Related to measurement error
During a well-child visit, the nurse identifies that a 9-month-old’s growth trend has decreased across all parameters. What should the nurse assess first?
Parent–child bonding
Feeding frequency and formula preparation
Teething discomfort
Sleep patterns
Which anticipatory guidance topic is most appropriate for a 9-month-old?
Toilet training readiness
Car seat safety and childproofing the home
Dental hygiene with fluoride toothpaste
Preparing for preschool
The parent of a 2-month-old expresses concern about “too many shots.” Which nursing response demonstrates therapeutic communication?
“You’re right; we can delay a few until your baby is older.”
“Vaccines are recommended together to build stronger immunity safely.”
“There’s nothing to worry about; every baby gets these.”
“You can refuse them, but your child will be at risk.”
The nurse discusses the MMR vaccine with a hesitant parent. Which statement by the nurse is most appropriate?
“The MMR vaccine was once linked to autism, but that risk is extremely rare.”
“Extensive research shows no link between vaccines and autism.”
“It’s mandatory, so your child must receive it.”
“You should consult your pediatrician before deciding.”
A 12-month-old is due for MMR, varicella, and Hepatitis A vaccines. The parent asks if these can be given together. Which response is best?
“Yes, multiple vaccines can safely be administered during one visit.”
“It’s safer to give one vaccine every two weeks.”
“We’ll give one now and schedule the rest next month.”
“Giving them all now may overwhelm your child’s immune system.”
A mother of a 24-month-old reports, “He runs everywhere but only says a few words.” The nurse’s first action should be:
Reassure the parent that this is normal at age 2
Complete the ASQ-3 and document findings
Refer to speech therapy immediately
Encourage more structured playtime
After scoring the ASQ-3, the nurse notes communication delays but normal gross motor skills. Which nursing action is most appropriate?
Discuss findings and refer for early intervention screening
Schedule a follow-up in six months
Focus on teaching motor skill exercises
Reassure that talking develops later in boys
A parent expresses concern about developmental screening results. Which statement by the nurse best supports the family?
“This test diagnoses developmental delay.”
“The ASQ helps us identify areas where your child might need more support.”
“These results mean your child will need special education.”
“We’ll retest next year to confirm the findings.”
A nurse assesses a 9-month-old who cries when the parent leaves the room. Which developmental concept does this demonstrate?
Egocentric thinking
Conservation
Object permanence
Reversibility
When teaching a 5-year-old before a tonsillectomy, which strategy best promotes understanding?
Provide a detailed anatomical explanation of the surgery.
Use puppets or a picture book to describe what will happen.
Explain using abstract terms about infection prevention.
Offer written handouts with technical language.
The nurse asks a 7-year-old to pour water from a tall glass into a short, wide one. The child states, “It’s still the same amount.” Which concept is this?
Egocentrism
Conservation
Object permanence
Abstract reasoning
During diabetes teaching, a 13-year-old demonstrates understanding of how future lifestyle choices affect long-term health. Which Piaget stage is this?
Preoperational
Sensorimotor
Concrete operational
Formal operational
A 3-year-old refuses medication, saying, “My doll doesn’t want it.” What is the best nursing interpretation?
The child is showing early empathy.
The child demonstrates egocentric, preoperational thinking.
The child lacks understanding of cause and effect.
The child is using concrete operational logic.
A nurse working in pediatrics recognizes that a 2-year-old is struggling with toilet training and becomes extremely upset when accidents occur. According to Freud’s theory, which stage is the child in and what personality trait might develop if this conflict is not resolved?
Oral stage; dependent personality
Anal stage; anal-retentive personality
Phallic stage; oedipal conflict
Latency stage; social skill deficit
A 4-year-old boy shows strong attachment to his mother and rivalry with his father. The nurse understands this is typical of which Freudian stage?
Oral
Anal
Phallic
Latency
A teen in therapy reflects on how early feeding issues influenced her adult dependence patterns. The therapist recognises this as a fixation from which stage of development?
Anal stage
Genital stage
Oral stage
Latency stage
A 10-year-old child focuses extensively on schoolwork, clubs and friendships, with little interest in romantic relationships. According to Freud’s theory, the child is in which stage?
Phallic
Latency
Anal
Genital
A young adult demonstrates balanced relationships, mutual respect in partnerships, and mature sexuality. This reflects successful resolution of which stage in Freud’s model?
Genital
Latency
Phallic
Anal
A nurse caring for an 18-month-old toddler observes the child proudly trying to put on their shoes and push a toy car independently. According to Erikson, which psychosocial stage is this child in and what virtue develops if successful?
Industry vs. Inferiority; competence
Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt; will
Initiative vs. Guilt; purpose
Identity vs. Role Confusion; fidelity
A 6-year-old child encounters difficulty in school and begins to avoid tasks, saying “I’m no good.” The nurse relates this to which Erikson stage and what risk?
Trust vs. Mistrust; despair
Initiative vs. Guilt; guilt
Industry vs. Inferiority; inferiority
Identity vs. Role Confusion; role confusion
A 14-year-old adolescent asks “Who am I and what do I want to be?” The nurse recognises the crisis as belonging to which stage of Erikson’s theory?
Identity vs. Role Confusion
Intimacy vs. Isolation
Generativity vs. Stagnation
utonomy vs. Shame/Doubt
An adult aged 45 reflects on their contribution to society and reports feeling stuck and unproductive. According to Erikson, which stage are they in and what is the implication of stagnation?
Generativity vs. Stagnation; stagnation leads to a lack of sense of purpose
Ego Integrity vs. Despair; despair leads to regret
Industry vs. Inferiority; inferiority leads to low self-esteem
Intimacy vs. Isolation; isolation leads to loneliness
A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to the guardian of a preschool child (age ~4). Which statement is most consistent with the relevant psychosocial stage in Erikson’s theory?
“Let your child try new tasks and explore, but guide them gently so they don’t feel their efforts are wrong.”
“Encourage your toddler to tell you everything and avoid correcting them.”
“Help your adolescent choose a career path and explore identity.”
“Ask your older adult to reflect on life achievements and find meaning.”
A nurse is facilitating a class discussion with 10-year-olds about fairness. One child says: “I won’t cheat on the test because everyone expects me to follow the rules.” The nurse recognizes this as which stage of moral development?
Stage 2 (Self-Interest)
Stage 3 (Interpersonal Accord)
Stage 4 (Authority & Social Order)
Stage 5 (Social Contract)
In assessing moral reasoning, a 16-year-old states: “If the law doesn’t protect everyone’s rights then we should protest it.” This statement aligns with which Kohlberg stage?
Stage 3
Stage 4
Stage 5
Stage 6
A preschooler quickly gives a toy back because they know if they don’t they’ll be punished by the teacher. The nurse links this behavior to which level and stage?
Pre-conventional, Stage 1
Pre-conventional, Stage 2
Conventional, Stage 3
Conventional, Stage 4
A 25-year-old nurse reflects: “I volunteer in homeless shelters because every person deserves dignity even if it costs me extra time.” This reasoning corresponds with which stage?
Stage 4
Stage 5
Stage 6
Stage 2
During community education, a nurse explains to adolescents: “It’s okay to question whether a rule is fair. Laws are made by people and should protect everyone.” Which stage of moral reasoning does this education aim to promote?
Stage 2
Stage 4
Stage 5
Stage 1
A 4-year-old insists on dressing themselves and becomes frustrated when helped. According to Erikson, which stage is the child experiencing?
Initiative vs. Guilt
Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt
Industry vs. Inferiority
Trust vs. Mistrust
During a checkup, a parent asks why their 8-year-old is so concerned about following classroom rules. The nurse explains this is typical of which stage of moral development?
Post-conventional, Stage 5
Conventional, Stage 3
Conventional, Stage 4
Pre-conventional, Stage 2
A nurse observes a 2-year-old exploring objects by putting them in their mouth. This behavior is most closely associated with which of Freud’s psychosexual stages?
Phallic stage
Oral stage
Latency stage
Anal stage
A 7-year-old child insists on following classroom routines and seeks approval from the teacher for good behavior. According to Kohlberg, which stage of moral development does this represent?
Conventional, Stage 4
Post-conventional, Stage 5
Conventional, Stage 3
Pre-conventional, Stage 2
During a well-child visit, a parent asks why their 3-year-old often says 'no' and wants to do things independently. The nurse explains this is typical of which Erikson stage?
Trust vs. Mistrust
Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt
Initiative vs. Guilt
Industry vs. Inferiority
A 5-year-old blames a broken toy on their sibling, even though they broke it themselves. The nurse recognizes this as an example of which type of thinking, according to Piaget?
Sensorimotor
Concrete operational
Preoperational egocentrism
Formal operational
