Deck 2: Human Development Across the Lifespan

Question 1

According to Piaget's theory of cognitive development, which behaviors does the nurse expect when assessing a preschool-age client?

A) Being egocentric and failing to see another's point of view.
B) Focusing on many aspects of a given situation at once.
C) Assuming everyone else in their world sees things as they do.
D) Believing in magical powers of thought to control the universe.
E) Understanding cause-and-effect relationships.

Answer 1

Being egocentric and failing to see another's point of view.
Focusing on many aspects of a given situation at once.
Assuming everyone else in their world sees things as they do.
Believing in magical powers of thought to control the universe.

Question 2

When reviewing the developmental behaviors of an 8-month-old infant, which behaviors are considered age-appropriate?

A) Unable to sit for brief periods of time without support.
B) Moro reflex present.
C) Crawling on abdomen.
D) Pulls self to standing position.
E) Positive Babinski reflex.

Answer 2

Crawling on abdomen.
Pulls self to standing position.
Positive Babinski reflex.

Question 3

While assessing a preschool-age child at play, which behavior indicates that the child is successfully moving through Piaget's cognitive stages of development?

A) The child is able to consider the differing opinions of playmates.
B) The child is able to recall the good time experienced the previous weekend at the playground and is anticipating going there again the following week.
C) The child reports being able to rationalize why it is better to eat fruit than candy.
D) The child understands that his mother loves him as much as she loves the child's older siblings.

Answer 3

The child is able to recall the good time experienced the previous weekend at the playground and is anticipating going there again the following week.

Question 4

The nurse working at an assisted living facility has just counseled a client experiencing a crisis in Erickson's developmental stage of integrity versus despair. Which suggestion by the nurse would be most appropriate to assist this client?

A) "You should consider buying a bigger house so that your divorced son can come and live with you."
B) "You should consider getting a job to fill your time."
C) "You should organize your family photos into an album"
D) "You should consider playing a sport."

Question 5

An older adult client voices concerns to the nurse regarding the seemingly continued loss of family and friends to illness and death. The client states, "God is cruel. I have no one anymore. I am too old to make new friends; it's useless, everyone leaves me." Using Erickson's psychosocial theory, which interpretation by the nurse is the most appropriate based on the client's statements?

A) A successful mastering of the stage of integrity versus despair.
B) Difficulty passing through the stage of generativity versus stagnation.
C) A struggle to succeed in the stage of integrity versus despair.
D) Unsuccessful completion of the intimacy versus isolation stage of development.

Question 6

The parent of a preschool-age client voices concerns about potential developmental delays stating that the older sibling reached milestones significantly ahead of the younger child. An assessment reveals the child is able to assist with dressing and can play catch. Based on this assessment finding, which response by the nurse is the most appropriate?

A) "Your child appears to be on target with the expected milestones for age."
B) "Your older child may simply be smarter than your 3 year old."
C) "I would recommend extensive testing to determine the source of the delays."
D) "Have you spoken with the health care provider about these delays?"

Question 7

The nurse is talking with an older adult client who has recently retired after 45 years of working as an executive at the same company. Which activity demonstrates that the client is adjusting to this new phase of life?

A) The client spends most of the day at home and declines invitations to outside gatherings with friends because there is "so much to do" at home.
B) The client has enrolled in courses at the local university to complete the college degree that was started "years ago," but interrupted by family responsibilities.
C) The client has lunch at the company cafeteria several times each week.
D) The client has purchased hearing aids, but rarely uses them.

Question 8

The mother of a toddler-age client expresses concern about the child's lower back curving in and the child's belly sticking out. Which action by the nurse is appropriate?

A) Suggest that the mother to buy the child bigger clothes.
B) Give the mother the first available appointment to see the health care provider.
C) Contact the health care provider to see if an orthopedic referral is necessary.
D) Reassure the mother that this is normal for a toddler.

Question 9

In preparation for a sport's physical examination, the nurse is assessing the height of an adolescent client, who measures 5′5″. The client voices concerns about his lack of stature and asks if he has reached his full height. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?

A) "By age 16, you are finished growing."
B) "Is your father very tall?"
C) "Why do you hope to grow taller?"
D) "You may continue to grow into your early 20s."

Question 10

An older adult presents to the clinic for a routine physical examination. The client reports having trouble with memory and often has to "search" for words when having a conversation with friends or family. Which assessment tools will help the nurse to gather more data about this client's concerns?

A) The Denver II.
B) Mini-Mental Status Examination.
C) Life Experiences Survey.
D) Hassles and Uplifts Scale.

Question 11

The nurse is developing a plan of care for a school-age pediatric client. Which goal would be most appropriate for the nurse to include which would demonstrate the child is accomplishing the tasks of Erikson's Stage 4 of development?

A) Watch peers play team sports.
B) Identify one or two pets that would be fun to care for.
C) Complete school homework and have a passing grade within 1 month.
D) Volunteer to help with one or more community projects each week.

Question 12

During a routine physical examination, a middle-aged female client reports concern about weight gain over the past 2 years despite not having made any significant changes in diet or exercise patterns. Which factor may be responsible for the reported changes in the client's weight?

A) Increased hormone levels.
B) Increased body mass index.
C) Reduced muscle nerve conduction.
D) Increased adipose tissue.

Question 13

The nurse is conducting a prenatal class to expectant parents and is asked how children grow. When explaining growth and development to the expectant parents, which descriptions are appropriate for the nurse to use in the response?

A) Cephalocaudal direction.
B) Simple to complex.
C) Distal to proximal direction.
D) Generalized response to specific response.
E) Anterior to posterior.

Question 14

The mother of a 5-month-old infant calls the pediatric clinic to report tremors in the infant's extremities and chin. Which action by the nurse is the most appropriate?

A) Reassure the mother that these tremors are a normal part of the infant's development.
B) Give the mother the first available appointment to see the health care provider.
C) Contact the health care provider to see if an electroencephalogram (EEG) should be ordered.
D) Ask the mother to keep a diary of the tremors and schedule an appointment for next week.

Question 15

The nurse is interviewing the mother of a toddler who verbalizes concerns that her child uses the toilet to void, but refuses to use the toilet for bowel movements, and often hides to defecate. Which stage of Freud's psychologic development is this toddler experiencing?

A) Genital.
B) Phallic.
C) Anal.
D) Latency.

Question 16

During a well-baby health maintenance visit, the nurse notices the infant does not demonstrate expected developmental milestones for age. Which nursing intervention is the priority in this situation?

A) The nurse should initiate a consult with social services for a home assessment.
B) The nurse should consult with the health care provider.
C) The nurse should ask the parents questions about their play activities with the infant.
D) The nurse should prepare the family for a potentially upsetting diagnosis.

Question 17

When reviewing a pediatric client's medical record, which are considered environmental factors that influence growth and development?

A) Nutrition.
B) Climate.
C) Heredity.
D) Culture.
E) Religion.

Question 18

Just after an appointment with the health care provider, an older adult client asks the nurse, "Why can't I seem to exercise like I did when I was younger? I just don't have the endurance that I did when I was 45, even though I feel good. The health care provider says I'm in good health and can exercise, but do you think there could be something wrong with me?" Which response by the nurse is the most appropriate?

A) "I think you should discuss this further with the health care provider; maybe you need more tests."
B) "As individuals get older, there are normal changes that occur in the body, specifically the heart and lungs, that may contribute to decreased endurance."
C) "The health care provider cleared you for exercise. I'm sure you are fine."
D) "The body undergoes physiologic changes that can affect your endurance, such as decreased cardiac output and increased residual air volume in the lungs."

Question 19

During a health maintenance visit, the nurse measures the height and weight of an infant and plots the measurements on the growth chart. The nurse notes a slowed growth pattern. Which action by the nurse is the most appropriate at this time?

A) Obtaining an endocrinologist referral.
B) Performing a nutritional assessment.
C) Waiting until the next visit to intervene.
D) Assessing for circulatory problems.

Question 20

The nurse is teaching the parents of a child who is in Piaget's sensorimotor stage of development. Which parental statement indicates appropriate behavior to help the child accomplish developmental tasks of this stage?

A) "We have started buying more colorful toys."
B) "We play with water toys in the bathtub."
C) "We bought some blocks with numbers."
D) "We have been playing peek-a-boo."

Question 21

The nurse is caring for a hospitalized infant. When the infant begins to cry, the parents report they do not believe in responding too rapidly, as they do not wish to spoil their child. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?

A) "I agree with your philosophy of child rearing."
B) "There are many studies that support this belief."
C) "Responding quickly to your baby's cries will assist the baby in feeling secure and does not result in a spoiled child."
D) "Children who experience separation anxiety have been spoiled by their parents."

Question 22

The parent of a preschool-aged client expresses concern that the client cannot ride a tricycle. Which action by the nurse is the most appropriate?

A) Reassure the father that this is normal.
B) Refer the child to the health care provider.
C) Perform further growth and development assessments.
D) Ask the father about any siblings and at what age they rode a tricycle.

Question 23

The nurse is counseling a middle-aged couple regarding hormonal shifts that occur during middle age. His wife has told him that both men and women experience decreasing hormonal production during middle adulthood, and he asks the nurse if this is true. Which response by the nurse is the most appropriate?

A) "Your wife has obtained some incorrect data."
B) "Why do you ask?"
C) "Your hormonal levels increase, not decrease with age."
D) "Your wife is correct. Both men and women experience a decrease in hormone production with aging."

Question 24

A Cuban-American infant is admitted to the pediatric unit for observation. When assessing the family's interactions the nurse notes the mother does all the care of the child while the father seems detached from the infant. Which nursing diagnosis is the most appropriate for this situation?

A) Family Processes; Dysfunctional.
B) Role Performance; Ineffective.
C) Violence; Other-Directed, Risk for.
D) Family Processes; Readiness for Enhanced.

Question 25

Which assessment findings in an older adult client does the nurse associate with the normal aging process?

A) Increased systolic blood pressure.
B) Increased muscle tone.
C) Decreased cardiac output.
D) Increased vital capacity.
E) Decreased renal function.

Question 26

The nurse is assessing a young adult client in the clinic who presents for a routine health examination. Which interventions does the nurse anticipate for this client?

A) Counseling on injury prevention.
B) Measles, muscles, rubella (MMR) vaccination.
C) Counseling on fluoride supplements.
D) Information on diet and exercise.
E) Fecal occult blood test.

Question 27

The nurse is explaining the influence of culture on growth and development to a group of expectant first-time parents. Which expectant parent statement indicates the need for further teaching?

A) "Mothers and fathers should always share in the responsibilities of caring for a new baby."
B) "Culture may influence the rate at which developmental milestones occur."
C) "The ways in which children are disciplined may vary among cultures."
D) "The value of education varies among cultures."

Question 28

The nurse is completing discharge teaching to the family of a hospitalized older adult client. Which is the priority to include in the teaching plan for this family?

A) Reducing the amount of odor in the client's immediate environment.
B) Protecting the client from injury due to increased pain threshold.
C) Speaking in an increasingly loud voice as client's hearing decreases.
D) Avoiding range of motion exercises due to loss of bone density and increased risk for fracture.

Question 29

The nurse is counseling the parents an adolescent client who is experiencing behavioral problems. Which assessment tool would be appropriate for the nurse to use to further assess this adolescent?

A) Family Psychosocial Screening.
B) Eyeburg Child Behavior Inventory.
C) Ages and Stages Questionnaire.
D) Child Development Inventory.