Question 1

The nurse is performing a physical assessment of a 10-year-old boy. The nurse notes that during last year's check-up the child weighed 80 pounds. According to average growth for this age group, what would be his expected current weight?

Accepted Answer

Children typically gain about 4-7 pounds per year during this age range. Since the child weighed 80 pounds last year, an increase of 5 pounds (which is within the average range) would bring his current weight to 85 pounds.

Question 2

The nurse is performing an annual check-up for an 8-year-old child. Compared to the previous assessment of this child, which of the following characteristics would most likely be observed?

Accepted Answer

At 8 years old, children typically have diaphragmatic breathing. Pulse rate decreases, secondary sex characteristics have not yet developed, and blood pressure has not reached adult levels.

Question 3

The nurse is preparing a presentation for a local parent-teacher organization about the growth and development of school-age children. Which of the following would the nurse include?

Accepted Answer

During the school-age years, especially as children approach puberty, the development of secondary sex characteristics can be a source of embarrassment and confusion for both boys and girls. This is a normal part of development and a topic that would be relevant for a presentation to parents and teachers. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect: A) Girls typically mature faster than boys during early adolescence, not the other way around. B) The average growth rate for school-age children is about 2 inches per year, not 4. C) Body size and maturity level do not have a direct correlation; children of the same size can have different maturity levels.

Question 4

The pediatric nurse is aware of the maturation of organ systems in the school-age child. Which of the following accurately describe these changes? Select all answers that apply.

Accepted Answer

- B) During the school-age years, children's respiratory rates decrease, and their breathing patterns shift from abdominal to diaphragmatic, reflecting the maturation of the respiratory system.- C) As children grow, their blood pressure generally increases and their pulse rate decreases due to the development and strengthening of the cardiovascular system. The heart's growth rate may slow, but it continues to develop and adapt to the body's increasing demands.- E) Bladder capacity increases with age, which is a normal part of growth and development. There is variability among children, and differences between genders, such as girls generally having a greater bladder capacity than boys, are observed.- F) Prepubescence is the phase immediately before puberty begins, marked by the initial development of secondary sexual characteristics. This period typically spans the 2 years leading up to puberty.

Question 5

The nurse is using the formula for bladder capacity to measure the bladder capacity of a 9-year-old girl. What number would the nurse document for this measurement?

Accepted Answer

The formula for estimating bladder capacity in children is (age in years + 2) ounces. For a 9-year-old, it would be 9 + 2 = 11 ounces.

Question 6

The nurse knows that the school-age child is in Erikson's stage of industry versus inferiority. Which of the following is the best example of a school-ager working toward accomplishing this developmental task?

Accepted Answer

Erikson's stage of industry versus inferiority, which occurs between the ages of 6 and 12 years, focuses on the child's ability to gain a sense of competence and achievement through the completion of tasks. Signing up for after-school activities is a prime example of a school-age child working towards accomplishing this developmental task, as it involves taking initiative, learning new skills, and working towards goals, all of which contribute to a sense of industry.

Question 7

The school nurse providing school health screenings knows that the 7- to 11-year-old is in Piaget's stage of concrete operational thoughts. Which of the following should this age group accomplish when developing operations? Select all answers that apply.

Accepted Answer

During the concrete operational stage, children gain the abilities to assimilate and coordinate information about the world from different dimensions (A), see things from another person's point of view (B), use stored memories of past experiences to evaluate and interpret present situations (C), and understand the principle of conservation—that matter does not change when its form changes (F). These skills reflect the development of logical thinking about concrete events, understanding of the principle of conservation, and improved perspective-taking.

Question 8

The nurse explains to parents of school-age children that according to Kohlberg's theory of moral development, their child is at the conventional stage of moral development. What is the motivation for school-age children to follow rules?

Accepted Answer

At the conventional stage of Kohlberg's theory, children follow rules to maintain social order and be seen as "good" by others.

Question 9

The nurse is talking with a chatty 7-year-old girl during her regular check-up. Which of the following behaviors would the child also be expected to exhibit?

Accepted Answer

At 7 years old, children are developing a sense of morality and can explain what is right and wrong.

Question 10

The nurse is assessing the gross motor skills of an 8-year-old boy. Which of the following interview questions would facilitate this assessment?

Accepted Answer

Participating in sports involves the use of large muscle groups and coordination, which are key components of gross motor skills. This makes it a relevant question for assessing an 8-year-old boy's gross motor abilities.

Question 11

The school nurse is conducting vision screening for a 7-year-old girl and documents the condition "amblyopia." What would the nurse tell the parents about this condition?

Accepted Answer

Amblyopia, often called "lazy eye," is a condition where the vision in one of the eyes is reduced because the eye and the brain are not working together properly. It typically develops from birth up to age 7 years. It is not caused by any eye health problem and glasses or contact lenses cannot fully correct the reduced vision caused by amblyopia. The condition occurs when the nerve pathway from one eye to the brain does not develop during childhood. This happens because the abnormal eye sends a blurred image or the wrong image to the brain. This confuses the brain, and the brain may learn to ignore the image from the weaker eye.

Question 12

The school nurse knows that school-age children are developing metalinguistic awareness. Which of the following is an example of this skill?

Accepted Answer

Metalinguistic awareness refers to the ability to think about and reflect on the nature and functions of language. Telling jokes often requires understanding and manipulating language's nuances, such as puns or double meanings, which demonstrates metalinguistic awareness.

Question 13

A mother brings her 6-year-old son in for a check-up because the child is complaining of stomachaches. It is the beginning of the school year. Which of the following might the mother also mention?

Accepted Answer

The child crying before going to school may indicate school-related anxiety, which can manifest as stomachaches, especially at the beginning of the school year.

Question 14

The nurse is teaching the parents of a 9-year-old girl about the socialization that is occurring in their child through school contacts. Which of the following information would the nurse include in her teaching plan?

Accepted Answer

Continuous peer relationships are crucial for the social development of school-age children, as they provide significant social interaction, helping them learn to cooperate, compete, and respect others' feelings and viewpoints.

Question 15

During a well-child check-up, the parents of a 9-year-old boy tell the nurse that their son's friends told him that soccer is a stupid game, and now he wants to play baseball. Which comment by the nurse best explains the effects of peer groups?

Accepted Answer

Acceptance by peers, especially those of the same sex, becomes increasingly important during childhood and adolescence. This can significantly influence a child's interests and activities, including sports preferences.

Question 16

The nurse is performing a physical examination of an 11-year-old girl. Which of the following observations would be expected?

Accepted Answer

During puberty, children experience significant growth spurts, and it is common for an 11-year-old to have grown several inches in a year. Third molars (wisdom teeth) typically do not erupt until later adolescence or early adulthood. Weight gain is also expected as part of normal growth and development. Abdominal breathing is more common in infants and younger children, with older children and adults typically showing thoracic breathing.

Question 17

Which of the following would the nurse most likely find in a 10-year-old child in the period of concrete operational thought?

Accepted Answer

During the concrete operational stage, which typically occurs between the ages of 7 and 11, children gain a better understanding of mental operations. They begin to think logically about concrete events and can classify or group similar objects together. This stage is characterized by the development of logical thought concerning tangible objects, improved memory, and understanding of the concept of conservation. Abstract thinking and problem solving via the scientific method are more characteristic of later developmental stages, such as formal operational thought, which begins around age 12. The ability to make independent decisions improves with age and is not specifically tied to the concrete operational stage.

Question 18

After teaching the parents of a 9-year-old girl about safety, which statement indicates the need for additional teaching?

Accepted Answer

The statement "She can ride in the front seat of the car once she is 10 years old" indicates a need for additional teaching because the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under the age of 13 ride in the back seat of vehicles to maximize safety. This guideline is based on the fact that the front seat, especially if equipped with airbags, can pose significant risks to young children in the event of a crash.

Question 19

The nurse is teaching parents to plan nutritional meals for their son who is overweight. Which of the following guidelines might the nurse include in the teaching plan?

Accepted Answer

School-age children need adequate protein and calcium for growth and nutrition. 28 g of protein and 800 mg of calcium are appropriate guidelines for this age group.

Question 20

The nurse has determined that an 8-year-old girl is at risk for being overweight. Which of the following interventions would be a priority prior to developing the care plan?

Accepted Answer

Interviewing the parents about their eating habits is crucial as it can provide insight into the family's dietary patterns and potential areas for intervention. Parents often play a significant role in shaping their children's eating habits and food choices.

Quiz 28: Growth and Development of the School-Age Child