Question 1

The school nurse notices a sixth-grade girl with bald patches in her hair. The hair itself is clean and shiny. Prior to referring the girl to her healthcare provider for alopecia, the nurse would want to watch the child for signs of:

Accepted Answer

A) Lice. 
B) Dietary imbalances. 
C) Schizophrenia. 
D) Trichotillomania. D

Question 2

The mother of a six-year-old brings her son to the physician because his teacher thinks he might have attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The nurse is interviewing the mother about the child's history. The nurse knows that which factors could be associated with ADHD?

Accepted Answer

A) Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine 
B) Advanced parental age 
C) Prenatal exposure to smoke 
D) Immune response C

Question 3

A nurse is performing a developmental assessment on several children in a clinic setting. Which children exhibit a delay in meeting developmental milestones?

Accepted Answer

A) An 18-month-old toddler who is unable to speak in sentences 
B) A two-year-old who is unable to cut with scissors 
C) A two-year-old who cannot recite her phone number 
D) A six-year-old who is unable to sit still for a short story 
E) A five-year-old who is unable to button his shirt D,E

Question 4

The nurse is working with the mother of a child with autism. The goal of the session is to plan strategies to increase the child's socialization. The nurse is explaining behavior modification as a treatment process. The nurse will encourage the mother to:

Accepted Answer

A) Create a reward system when the child interacts with a person. 
B) Punish the child when the child's social behaviors are inappropriate. 
C) Use dolls to demonstrate appropriate social interactions to the child. 
D) Enroll the child in a day care to encourage interaction with other children.

Question 5

A mother brings her 22-month-old child to the well-child clinic for an evaluation. The mother states that this child does not seem to be developing like her sister's child of the same age. The nurse will perform which screening test that may provide information about the child's development?

Accepted Answer

A) MRI of the head 
B) An EEG 
C) A Denver II 
D) Chromosomal study

Question 6

The nurse at a high school is screening students for mental health issues. The nurse would want to refer the adolescent for depression if the child shows which symptoms of depression?

Accepted Answer

A) Agoraphobia 
B) Somatic complaints 
C) Focus on violence 
D) Poor self-care 
E) Poor school performance

Question 7

A child with autism is being admitted to the hospital with dehydration. Upon admission, the nurse should:

Accepted Answer

A) Encourage the parents to avoid bringing favorite toys from home that might be lost. 
B) Take the child on a tour of the pediatric unit. 
C) Assign the child to his single-bed hospital room. 
D) Take the child to the playroom for arts and crafts.

Question 8

The nurse knows that the mother of a six-year-old needs more teaching about her son's diagnosis of ADHD when she states:

Accepted Answer

A) "I will develop a reward system for desired behaviors." 
B) "I will take my child to the physician every three months for a weight and height check." 
C) "I will let him do his homework while he is watching his favorite television show." 
D) "I will stick to the same routine each day after school."

Question 9

The school nurse and teacher are working on a plan to improve the behavior and learning of a child recently diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Which activities will the nurse suggest be included in the plan?

Accepted Answer

A) Asking the mother to seek a prescription for methylphenidate (Ritalin) for the child 
B) Placing the child's desk at the back of the room to reduce distractions 
C) Developing a consistent routine for the classroom 
D) Limiting the decorations in the classroom 
E) Determining areas where the child performs well and using these areas to promote self-esteem

Question 10

A mother brings her 11-year-old son to the pediatric clinic for investigation of stomach complaints. The mother says that for the last two months, the child has complained of abdominal pain three to four mornings per week. The mother states the child usually complains on school days and always seems to be better by afternoon. The child was able to attend a weekend Boy Scout camp without difficulty but has missed several days of school due to complaints. The nurse would suspect which mental health disorder?

Accepted Answer

A) Separation anxiety 
B) Depression 
C) School phobia 
D) Bipolar disorder

Question 11

A nine-year-old has been diagnosed with a learning disorder that is characterized by problems with manual dexterity and coordination. The nurse teaches parents that this disorder is called:

Accepted Answer

A) Dysgraphia. 
B) Dyscalculia. 
C) Dyspraxia. 
D) Dyslexia.

Question 12

A seven-year-old girl has been clinging to her mother and refusing to go to school. The child is diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder, and the treatment plan will include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). The nurse would explain to the parents that CBT will include:

Accepted Answer

A) Self-talking. 
B) Relaxation. 
C) Hypnosis. 
D) Anti-depressant medications. 
E) Recognition of feelings.

Question 13

The nurse is assessing a four-year-old child with a possible alteration in mental health. Which findings indicate a need for further investigation?

Accepted Answer

A) Fails to make eye contact 
B) Flinches when touched on the arm 
C) History of limited prenatal care and precipitant delivery 
D) Head circumference has not changed in over one year 
E) Flat facial expressions

Question 14

The nurse is assessing a child with Down syndrome. The child is at greater risk of developing which illness than children who do not have Down syndrome?

Accepted Answer

A) Rheumatic heart disease 
B) Glomerulonephritis 
C) Leukemia 
D) Hepatitis

Question 15

The waiting room of the mental health clinic is full of children with various mental health issues. The nurse watches the children and notes that which child is displaying symptoms of autism?

Accepted Answer

A) Four-year-old girl who doesn't make eye contact with mother and resists the mother's touch 
B) Three-year-old boy who joins one group of children then moves to another group of children without joining their activities 
C) 18-month-old child who walks around the area using the furniture to provide balance 
D) Six-year-old boy who chatters constantly to anyone who will listen

Exam 56: The Child With Alterations in Mental Health and Cognitive Function