Question 1

The primary care pediatric nurse practitioner is examining a newborn infant recently discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit after a premature birth. The parent is upset and expresses worry about whether the infant will be normal. What will the nurse practitioner do in this situation?

A) Explain to the parent that developmental delays often do not manifest at first.
B) Perform a developmental assessment and tell the parent which delays are evident.
C) Point out the tasks that the infant can perform while conducting the assessment.
D) Refer the infant to a developmental specialist for a complete evaluation.

C

Accepted Answer

The nurse practitioner should refrain from making any definitive statements about the infant's developmental progress or potential delays. Instead, the nurse practitioner should conduct a thorough developmental assessment, pointing out the tasks that the infant can perform and reassuring the parent that meeting developmental milestones is a gradual process that varies among children. This approach focuses on the infant's strengths and provides the parent with information that can help them bond with their child and foster a positive parent-child relationship. Referring the infant to a developmental specialist should only be done if there are significant concerns or delays observed during the assessment.

Question 2

A single mother of an infant worries that living in a household with only one parent will cause her child to be maladjusted. To help address the mother's concerns, the primary care pediatric nurse practitioner will suggest

A) developing consistent daily routines for the child.
B) exposing her child to extended family members when possible.
C) not working outside the home during the first few years.
D) taking her child to regular play date activities with other children.

A

Accepted Answer

Developing consistent daily routines provides stability and security, which are important for a child's adjustment and development.

Question 3

During a well child exam, the primary care pediatric nurse practitioner learns that the parents of a young child fight frequently about finances. The parents state that they do not fight in front of the child and feel that the situation is temporary and related to the father's job layoff. What will the nurse practitioner do?

A) Reassure them that the child is too young to understand.
B) Recommend that they continue to not argue in front of the child.
C) Suggest counseling to learn ways to handle stress.
D) Tell them that the conflict will resolve when the situation changes.

C

Accepted Answer

Suggesting counseling to learn ways to handle stress can help the parents address the underlying issue and provide them with tools to manage their conflict in a healthy way, which can ultimately benefit the well-being of the child in the long run. Reassurance or simply asking them to continue to not argue in front of the child may not address the root cause of the issue. Telling them that the conflict will resolve when the situation changes may not be accurate and can leave the parents feeling helpless.

Deck 8: Developmental Management in Pediatric Primary Care