Deck 11: Developmental Theories

Question 1

The nurse working in an adult medical clinic wishes to learn more about a developmental theory that focuses on the adult years.The nurse investigates different possibilities and selects the theory proposed by:
1) Gould
2) Piaget
3) Freud
4) Chess and Thomas

Answer 1

1
Gould's theory of psychosocial development specifically focuses on the adult years.Piaget's theory focused on cognitive development throughout the life span.Freud's psychosexual theory focused on personality development throughout the life span.The theory of Chess and Thomas focused on development from childhood to early adulthood.

Question 2

The nurse in a pediatric health care setting is using Kohlberg's developmental theory.A child is evaluated as having reached level I,the preconventional level,if the child:
1) Makes sure that he or she is not late for school
2) Cleans the blackboards after school for the teacher
3) Runs for school council in order to change policies
4) Stays away from peer groups that harass other children

Answer 2

1
According to Kohlberg's developmental theory of moral development,at level I,the preconventional level,the child's reasoning is based on personal gain.The moral reason for acting relates to the consequences the person believes will occur.The child who makes sure not to be late for school may do so out of fear of punishment.Cleaning the blackboards after school for the teacher is an example of Kohlberg's stage 3,good boy-nice girl orientation.The child desires to win the teacher's approval.Running for school council to change policies is an example of Kohlberg's stage 5 social contract orientation.Staying away from gangs at school that harass other children is an example of Kohlberg's stage 4 society-maintaining orientation.

Question 3

The nurse is working with a new mother who will require surgery.The follow-up treatment will interfere with bonding.In applying Freud's theory,the nurse recognizes that the stage of development that may be affected is the:
1) Oral stage
2) Anal stage
3) Phallic stage
4) Latent stage

Answer 3

1
According to Freud,disruption in the physical or emotional availability of the parent for the newborn (e.g. ,undergoing surgery)will affect the oral stage of development;the anal stage is from 12 to 18 months to 3 years,when the child is toilet-training;the phallic stage is from 3 to 6 years of age,when the child becomes interested in the genital organs;and the latent stage is from 6 to 12 years,when the child represses sexual urges and channels them into productive activities that are socially acceptable.

Question 4

A nurse who wants to apply a theory that relates to moral development should read more from the work of:
1) Gould
2) Freud
3) Erikson
4) Kohlberg

Question 5

A nurse is preparing to discharge an 11-month-old child after a hospitalization for a viral infection.The nurse uses anticipatory guidance most effectively when:
1) Encouraging the parents to limit visitors for 14 days
2) Providing the parents with written discharge instructions
3) Arranging the follow-up pediatrician appointment for the parents
4) Informing the parents that the child may cry when taken to daycare

Question 6

Which of the following should the nurse consider first when assessing the cognitive ability of an older adult?
1) A life-long bachelor
2) Orphaned at age 12
3) History of a chronic disease process
4) Recent immigration to the United States

Question 7

The primary purpose for the nurse to understand human growth and development is to be best able to:
1) Identify deviations from normal
2) Select effective nursing interventions
3) Be sensitive to age-appropriate needs
4) Enhance nurse-client communication

Question 8

According to Piaget,the infant is in the first period of development,which is characterized by:
1) Concrete operations
2) Preoperational thought
3) Sensorimotor intelligence
4) Identity versus role confusion

Question 9

As described by Freud,the nurse recognizes that a young adult best shows a well-developed superego when he:
1) Tells a friend that he'll help him stop smoking
2) Returns a lost wallet to a stranger who dropped it
3) Arranges for a cab ride home after consuming alcohol
4) Has 10% of his salary automatically transferred to savings

Question 10

For an older adult client,an example of a common behavioral task or critical event is:
1) Selecting a mate
2) Rearing children
3) Finding a congenial social group
4) Adjusting to decreasing physical strength

Question 11

A nurse caring for a 78-year-old client recently diagnosed with pneumonia will find Erikson's psychosocial development theory most helpful in determining:
1) Which needs the client will typically develop
2) Which coping mechanisms the client will likely use
3) How the client will respond to the respiratory problem
4) How the client and his family will adjust to the stressors

Question 12

The nurse using Erikson's theory to assess a 20-year-old client's developmental status expects to find which of the following behaviors?
1) Coping with physical and social losses
2) Enjoys participating in the community
3) Applying self to learning skills
4) Overcoming a sense of guilt or frustration

Question 13

In applying Gould's developmental theory,the nurse anticipates that a client will have a greater concern for one's health within the following theme and age-group:
1) First theme (20s)
2) Second theme (early 30s)
3) Fourth theme (40s)
4) Fifth theme (50s)

Question 14

In Kohlberg's Moral Development theory,an individual who reaches level II (conventional thought)is expected to exhibit:
1) Absolute obedience to authority
2) Reasoning based on personal gain
3) Personal internalization of other's expectations
4) Self-chosen ethical principles,universality,and impartiality

Question 15

According to Piaget,a preschool child (3 to 5 years old)who comes to the clinic is expected by the nurse to exhibit which of the following behaviors?
1) Far-reaching problem-solving
2) Exploration of the environment
3) Cooperation and sharing with others
4) Thinking with the use of symbols and images

Question 16

The nurse recognizes that Freud's theory approaches development by looking at:
1) Moral reasoning.
2) Logical maturity
3) Psychosexual aspects
4) Cognitive development

Question 17

In accordance with Erikson's theory,it is expected by the nurse that a middle-aged adult client will be involved in the process of:
1) Developing a sense of identity
2) Searching for meaning in life
3) Enhancing one's capability to love others
4) Expanding personal and social involvement

Question 18

The nurse recognizes that which one of the following statements about growth and development is correct?
1) Development ends with adolescence.
2) Growth refers to qualitative events.
3) Developmental tasks are age-related achievements.
4) Cognitive theories focus on emotional development.

Question 19

Which of the following situations/statements best depicts Gould's fourth theme of adult development?
1) "When I made that decision,I didn't expect it to turn out like it did."
2) "I have to take the opportunity to be my own boss and not rely on others."
3) "I think you can do anything if only you have your health and good friends."
4) "As much as I'd love to open my own shop,I just can't take that kind of chance."

Question 20

A child's understanding of the concept of ice becoming water,Piaget's stage of cognitive development,is seen in:
1) Sensorimotor
2) Preoperational
3) Formal operations
4) Concrete operations

Question 21

Which of the following best describes a nurse thinking at stage 5 of Kohlberg's Moral Developmental Theory?
1) "The client has a right to decide whether or not to proceed with the treatment plan."
2) "The hospital's policies and procedures are excellent tools for making client oriented decisions."
3) "It won't be fair to expect to get every weekend and holiday off,so I'll certainly work my share."
4) "If you don't keep client information confidential you could be terminated immediately."

Question 22

The nurse is caring for an older adult client who has reported symptoms suggestive of depression.Which of the following questions asked by the nurse is most therapeutic in assessing the client's perception of the impact depression has had on her life?
1) "What does it mean to be depressed?"
2) "How does being depressed make you feel?"
3) "Were you happy before becoming depressed?"
4) "What makes you think that you are depressed?"

Question 23

Which of the following client statements made by an older adult best reflects an understanding of the decrease in physical strength and stamina in this developmental stage?
1) "I know I'm not as young as I use to be."
2) "I just hire help with jobs I can't do myself."
3) "You get older you can't do as much,that's life."
4) "I have to ask my son for help with the yard work."

Question 24

To help a comatose client's family make a moral decision regarding the termination of life support,the nurse must first:
1) Refrain from expressing his/her personal beliefs concerning the life support issue
2) Provide the family with information regarding the process of terminating life support
3) Determine whether the client had expressed any written or oral wishes regarding the issue
4) Facilitate the family's decision-making process by providing them with a quiet,private space for discussion

Question 25

The nurse is caring for a 6-year-old child who is scheduled for outpatient surgery.Piaget's theory of cognitive development suggests that the nurse can help the child cope with the stressors of this hospital experience best by:
1) Arranging for the parents to be with the child until the anesthetic takes affect
2) Explaining the entire process with the child using age-appropriate language
3) Using play as a means of familiarizing the child with the events he will experience
4) Providing the child with a coloring book that shows the events he will be experiencing

Question 26

Which of the following nursing responses is most therapeutic when made in response to a parent's concern about her 3-year-old child's tendency to "break the rules"?
1) "Just keep reminding her of the rules."
2) "Daycare will help her learn to play fair."
3) "She will begin to understand that concept in a year or so."
4) "Add an age appropriate punishment for breaking the rules."