Question 1

The nurse is planning to evaluate the development of a preschool-age child. On what should the nurse focus when performing this evaluation?

Accepted Answer

Development is measured by observing a child's ability to perform specific skills. Growth is used to denote an increase in physical size such as height and weight. Appetite is not used to evaluate growth or development.

Question 2

A patient asks if a school-age child is going to be tall like others in the family. What should the nurse explain as having the least impact on the child's ultimate height?

Accepted Answer

Although children cannot grow taller than their genetically programmed height potential, their adult height can be considerably less than their genetic potential if their environment hinders their growth. Environmental influences on height include socioeconomic status or occupations of parents, genetic material inherited, and availability and ingestion of nutritious foods. Participation in sports will not influence the child's ultimate height.

Question 3

The mother of several children is amazed that the youngest male child achieved toilet training much earlier than the other children. What should the nurse explain as the reason for this early development?

Accepted Answer

Children learn by watching other children so a youngest child who has many examples to watch may excel in skills such as toilet training. The child did not become toilet trained early because of exceptional intelligence. The child is not developing too quickly. There is no way for the nurse to know if the child will wet the bed.

Question 4

A patient is concerned that the new baby is going to have a weight problem growing up because other family members are obese. What should the nurse respond to this patient?

Accepted Answer

For children, fat intake does not need to be restricted for the first 2 years of life because fat is necessary for myelination of spinal nerves. After the age of 2 years, fat intake can be tailored to meet the guidelines of 30% total intake for both children and adults. The patient should not restrict all fatty foods up until the age of 5 years or after the age of 10 years. Fat intake after the age of 2 years should be limited to 30% of total caloric intake.

Question 5

During a home visit, the nurse observes an 8-year-old child pick up toys and place them in the toy box. The child then looks to the mother who says, "Thank you for helping me." Which stage of Kohlberg's moral development is this child demonstrating?

Accepted Answer

In the stage of interpersonal relations of mutuality, the child will follow rules because of a need to be a "good" person in their own eyes and in the eyes of others. The mother's praise reinforces this behavior. In the punishment/obedience stage, the child does "right" to avoid punishment. In the individualism stage, the child will carry out actions to satisfy own needs rather than others. In the maintenance of social order stage, the child will follow rules of authority figures as well as parents in an effort to keep the "system" working.

Question 6

Which activity should the nurse encourage a new mother to perform to foster the developmental tasks of a toddler according to Erikson's developmental stages?

Accepted Answer

The developmental task of the toddler is to learn autonomy versus shame or doubt. Autonomy comes from the toddler's new motor and mental abilities. Children take pride in the new things they can accomplish, and they want to do everything independently.
Pulling a talking duck toy will support the development of autonomy. Doing things such as feeding, reading, and watching television does not foster autonomy in the toddler.

Question 7

The nurse pours liquid medication from one tall container to a shorter container. How would the preschool-age child interpret this exchange of the medication?

Accepted Answer

The preschool-age child has not developed conservation or the ability to discern truth, even though physical properties change. This is why the child will think that there is less medicine in the shorter container. The preschool-age child will not interpret this action as the glass changing shape or it is painful to pour medicine. An older child will understand that the appearance of the medication changed but not the amount.

Question 8

The nurse is preparing to assess a school-age child in the community clinic. Which action supports the 2020 National Health Goals for growth and development of children?

Accepted Answer

Recognizing normal growth and development patterns of children helps to determine if children are following normal development and when referrals are needed. Nurses are the health care providers who interact with children and measure height and weight, which are used to recognize developmental delays. Helping with homework, talking about television, and identifying favorite subjects in school will not support the 2020 National Health Goals for growth and development of children.

Question 9

During a home visit, the nurse observes a mother prepare a bottle for an 18-month-old child consisting of skim milk. Which nursing diagnosis should the nurse use to base instruction for this mother?

Accepted Answer

The nursing diagnosis of imbalanced nutrition is appropriate because the child's fat intake should not be restricted up until the age of 2 years. The developing body needs fat to ensure development of the nervous system. The mother using skim milk for the child's bottle does not indicate health-seeking behaviors, delayed growth and development, or readiness for enhanced family coping.

Question 10

Which observation by the nurse indicates that an adolescent's cognitive thinking is developing at an expected level?

Accepted Answer

The adolescent is capable of abstract reasoning, which would be observed when the adolescent explains how working a part-time job will help pay for a car. All plastic remote controls breaking would be concrete thinking. Asking for a sharp item to cut meat is an example of preschool-age thinking. Saying that the dog moved the bicycle into the driveway is an example of preschool-age thinking.

Question 11

While in the waiting room, a child begins to cry when a toy has been taken from him. The mother immediately hands the child another toy and the crying stops. How should the nurse interpret the child's behavior?

Accepted Answer

Children who are easily distracted or who can easily shift their attention to a new situation are easy to care for. If they are crying over the loss of a toy, they can be appeased by the offer of a different one. Attention span is the ability to remain interested in a project or activity for an average length of time. Negative mood quality is when the child is unhappy or whining. A child who has an intensity of rea situations with their whole being. They cry loudly, thrash their arms, and have temper tantrums.

Question 12

The nurse observes a mother telling a toddler that pasta and potatoes will make the child fat. What should the nurse instruct the mother about these food items?

Accepted Answer

Carbohydrates are the main and preferred fuel of the body to supply energy and are essential to the functioning of body systems, the neurologic system in particular. This makes carbohydrates important to toddlers because their brain cells are actively growing. Protein should not be restricted in the toddler. Carbohydrates should not be restricted to 30% or after the age of 5 years.

Question 13

The nurse observes an 8-month-old infant cry when the mother leaves the room. What does this infant's behavior indicate to the nurse?

Accepted Answer

Gaining a concept of permanence also contributes to "8th-month anxiety," a stage in which infants continue to cry for their parents because they know their parents still exist even when out of sight. Crying when the mother leaves the room does not indicate confusion, reversibility, or assimilation.

Question 14

During a home visit, the nurse determines that a toddler has a difficult temperament. What did the nurse observe in this toddler? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

The child that has a difficult temperament is withdrawing, low in adaptability, intense, and negative in mood. The child that has an easy temperament is rhythmic.

Question 15

The nurse had instructed a mother on the importance of providing a toddler with a balanced diet. Which observation during a home visit indicates that instruction has been effective?

Accepted Answer

A balanced diet will take into consideration all of the essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals needed for healthy growth and development of the toddler. A scrambled egg for breakfast will provide the toddler with protein and help to regulate calcium and phosphorous for good bone growth. Cake and ice cream, fried foods, and candy are not nutritious foods for a toddler and indicate that instruction has not been effective.

Quiz 28: Principles of Growth and Development