Chapter 28: Growth and Development of the School-Age Child
7. 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? A) They follow rules out of a sense of being a 'good person.' B) They follow rules out of fear of being punished. C) They follow rules in order to receive praise from caretakers. D) They follow rules because it is in their nature to do so.
Ans: A Feedback: During the school-age years, the child's sense of morality is constantly being developed. According to Kohlberg, the school-age child is at the conventional stage of moral development. The 7- to 10-year-old usually follows rules out of a sense of being a "good person." He or she wants to be a good person to his or her parents, friends, and teachers and to himself or herself.
16. What finding would the nurse most likely discover in a 10-year-old child in the period of concrete operational thought? A) Participation in abstract thinking B) Ability to classify similar objects C) Problem solving via the scientific method D) Ability to make independent decisions
Ans: B Feedback: During the period of concrete operational thought, children are able to classify or group objects based on their common elements. Abstract thinking, problem solving via the scientific method, and independent decision making are higher-level functions, typically seen in adolescents.
21. The mother of a 7-year-old girl tells the school nurse that her child is deathly afraid of going to school. What would be the best intervention the nurse could suggest in this situation? A) Return the child to school and investigate the cause of the fear. B) Have the child stay home from school until any issues causing this fear are resolved. C) Investigate a new school for the child to attend that the child will not be afraid of. D) Tell the child that privileges will be taken away if she does not return to school.
Ans: A Feedback: It is important to investigate specific causes of school refusal/school phobia and take appropriate action. The parents should return the child to school, investigate the cause of the fear, support the child, collaborate with teachers, and praise success in school attendance. This is not a situation for punishment, and changing schools would not solve the child's school phobia.
5. The nurse knows that the school-age child is in Erikson's stage of industry versus inferiority. Which best examplifies a school-ager working toward accomplishing this developmental task? A) The child signs up for after-school activities. B) The child performs his bedtime preparations autonomously. C) The child becomes aware of the opposite sex. D) The child is developing a conscience.
Ans: A Feedback: Erikson (1963) describes the task of the school-age years to be a sense of industry versus inferiority. During this time, the child is developing his or her sense of self-worth by becoming involved in multiple activities at home, at school, and in the community, which develops his or her cognitive and social skills. Achieving independence is a task of the preschooler who also is developing a conscience at that age. Awareness of the opposite sex occurs in, but is not the focus of, the school-age child.
29. A 12-year-old girl is experiencing prepubescence, and tells the school nurse that she feels "very out of place" in her school. What would be acceptable responses by the nurse? Select all that apply. A) "It must be difficult for you. Why don't you sit down and we can talk about it." B) "I would suggest that you talk to your parents about your feelings. This isn't something that I can talk to you about." C) "All of the girls and boys will be going through the same thing as you so that should make you feel a little better." D) "Tell me how this makes you feel. Talking about your feelings may help you feel better about school." E) "I went through the same thing when I was in school. I know it doesn't feel like it now but I promise it will get easier."
Ans: A, D Feedback: Prepubescence typically occurs in the 2 years before the beginning of puberty and is characterized by the development of secondary sexual characteristics, a period of rapid growth for girls, and a period of continued growth for boys. Acknowledging the student's feelings and encouraging her to talk about her feelings will likely help her to feel better about herself. She may not be comfortable with talking about her feelings with her parents at this point, and the nurse discussing this topic with the student is acceptable. Telling her that everyone goes through it and that it will "get easier" does not address the student's feelings and is nontherapeutic communication.
26. When providing anticipatory guidance to a group of parents with school-aged children, what would the nurse describe as the most important aspect of social interaction? A) School B) Peer relationships C) Family D) Temperament
Ans: B Feedback: Although school, family, and temperament are important influences on social interaction, peer relationships at this time provide the most important social interaction for school-age children.
15. The nurse is performing a physical examination of an 11-year-old girl. What observations would be expected? A) The child has not gained weight since last year. B) The child has grown 2.5 inches since last year. C) The child breathes abdominally. D) The child's third molars are about to erupt.
Ans: B Feedback: From 6 to 12 years of age, children grow an average of 2.5 inches (6 to 7 cm) per year, increasing their height by at least 1 foot. An increase of 7 pounds (3 to 3.5 kg) per year in weight is expected. Abdominal breathing is typical of a preschooler and would have disappeared several years earlier. The third molars do not erupt until late adolescence.
22. Two working parents are discussing with the school nurse the possibility of their 12-year-old girl going home alone after school. What suggestion should the nurse make? A) Provide entertainment until the parents come home. B) Allow the child to go to a friend's house. C) Teach her how to take a message if someone calls. D) Purchase caller ID for the phone.
Ans: D Feedback: Having caller ID allows the child to answer the phone if Mom or Dad calls while ignoring all other calls. Rather than entertaining the child, this would be a better time for homework, age-appropriate chores, and limited entertainment. If the child goes to a friend's house, it should be prearranged between the parents, not spur of the moment. It is safer if the child does not answer the phone instead of taking a message.
24. The nurse is caring for a 7-year-old girl who is scheduled for a hernia repair and is very scared. Which fear would she also most likely have at this age? A) Fear of being kidnapped B) Fear of cutting her finger C) Fear of sudden loud noises D) Fear of the neighbor's dog
Ans: A Feedback: At this age, the child will be fearful of being kidnapped. She should have outgrown her fears of harm to her body, noises, and dogs, all of which are typical preschooler fears.
17. After teaching the parents of a 9-year-old girl about safety, which statement indicates the need for additional teaching? A) "She can ride in the front seat of the car once she is 10 years old." B) "We need to buy her a helmet so she can ride her scooter." C) "She should ride her bike with the traffic on the side of the road." D) "We signed her up for swim lesions at the local community center."
Ans: A Feedback: Children younger than 12 years of age must sit in the back seat of the car. Laws in most states require helmets for riding bicycles and scooters. When riding a bike, the child should ride on the side of the road traveling with the traffic. Children should know how to swim. If swimming skills are limited, the child must wear a life preserver at all times.
2. The nurse is performing an annual check-up for an 8-year-old child. Compared to the previous assessment of this child, which characteristic would most likely be observed? A) Breathing is diaphragmatic. B) Pulse rate is increased. C) Secondary sex characteristics are present. D) Blood pressure has reached adult level.
Ans: A Feedback: The child's respiratory system is maturing, so abdominal breathing has been replaced by diaphragmatic breathing. Pulse rate will decrease, rather than increase, during this time. Secondary sex characteristics will not appear until the late school-age years. Blood pressure will not reach the adult level until adolescence.
12. A mother brings her 6-year-old son in for a check-up because the child is reporting stomachaches. It is the beginning of the school year. What might the mother also mention? A) The child cries before going to school. B) The child made friends the first day of school. C) The child fights with siblings more often. D) The child loves the crowds in the lunchroom.
Ans: A Feedback: This child has a slow-to-warm-up temperament. The child may also be crying before going to school. Making friends the first day of school and enjoying the crowds in the lunchroom are typical of a child with an easy temperament. Irritability is typical of a child with a difficult temperament.
6. The school nurse providing school health screenings knows that the 7- to 11-year-old is in Piaget's stage of concrete operational thoughts. What should this age group accomplish when developing operations? Select all that apply. A) Ability to assimilate and coordinate information about the world from different dimensions B) Ability to see things from another person's point of view and think through an action C) Ability to use stored memories of past experiences to evaluate and interpret present situations D) Ability to think about a problem from all points of view, ranking the possible solutions while solving the problem E) Ability to think outside of the present and incorporate into thinking concepts that do exist as well as concepts that might exist F) Ability to understand the principle of conservation—that matter does not change when its form changes
Ans: A, B, C, F Feedback: Piaget's stage of cognitive development for the 7- to 11-year-old is the period of concrete operational thoughts. In developing concrete operations, the child is able to assimilate and coordinate information about the world from different dimensions. He or she is able to see things from another person's point of view and think through an action, anticipating its consequences and the possibility of having to rethink the action. The school-age child is able to use stored memories of past experiences to evaluate and interpret present situations. Also, during concrete operational thinking, the school-age child develops an understanding of the principle of conservation—that matter does not change when its form changes. According to Piaget, the adolescent progresses from a concrete framework of thinking to an abstract one in the formal operational period. During this period, the adolescent is able to think about a problem from all points of view, ranking the possible solutions while solving the problem. The adolescent also develops the ability to think outside of the present; that is, he or she can incorporate into thinking concepts that do exist as well as concepts that might exist. His or her thinking becomes logical, organized, and consistent.
8. The nurse is talking with a chatty 7-year-old girl during her regular check-up. Which behaviors would the child also be expected to exhibit? A) Showing no interest in what the nurse sees in her ears B) Explaining what is right and what is wrong C) Demonstrating independence from her mother D) Showing no concern when the nurse hurts her own finger
Ans: B Feedback: At this age, behavior is seen by the child as either completely right or wrong. The child will almost surely want to know why the nurse looks in her ears. The child depends heavily on parents for support and encouragement at this age. This is a time when children gain empathy, so the child would show concern for the nurse's injury.
13. 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 information would the nurse include in her teaching plan? A) Teachers are the most influential people in the development of the school-age child's social network. B) Continuous peer relationships provide the most important social interaction for school-age children. C) Parents should establish norms and standards that signify acceptance or rejection. D) A characteristic of school-age children is their formation of groups with no rules and values involved.
Ans: B Feedback: Continuous peer relationships provide the most important social interaction for school-age children. Peer and peer-group identification are most essential to the socialization of the school-age child. Peer groups establish norms and standards that signify acceptance or rejection. Valuable lessons are learned from interactions with children their own age. A characteristic of school-age children is their formation of groups with rules and values.
30. The mother of a 12-year-old boy is talking with the school nurse about her son's clumsiness. She reports that he seems to fall a lot, his writing is horrible, and as much as he practices he can't play his guitar very well. How should the nurse respond to the mother? A) "Boys tend to take a bit longer than girls to mature." B) "Have you spoken with your pediatrician about your observations?" C) "Boys tend to refine their fine motor skills by this age." D) "I will make a note of your observations and talk to his teachers."
Ans: B Feedback: Myelinization of the central nervous system is reflected by refinement of fine motor skills. The child between 10 and 12 years of age begins to exhibit manipulative skills comparable to adults. In order to determine if the child is delayed in fine motor skill development, the pediatrician should be made aware because further examination or testing may be warranted. Just stating the fact that his motor skills should be developed by this age, although true, does not address the mother's concerns. The teachers can be notified of the mother's observations, but the child should still be assessed by the pediatrician.
28. The nurse is providing anticipatory guidance for parents of a school-age child on teaching the dangers of drugs and alcohol. What advice might be helpful for these parents? A) School-age children are not ready to absorb information that deals with drugs and alcohol. B) School-age children can think critically to interpret messages seen in advertising, media, and sports. C) Parents must prevent their child from being exposed to messages that are in conflict with their values. D) Discussions with children need to be based on facts and focused on the past and future.
Ans: B Feedback: School-age children can be taught how to think critically to interpret messages seen in advertising, media, sports, and entertainment personalities. School-age children are ready to absorb information that deals with drugs and alcohol and may be exposed to messages that are in conflict with their parents' values regarding smoking and alcohol. This may occur at school and cannot be prevented. Discussions with children need to be based on facts and focused on the present.
10. 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? A) 'Amblyopia is an uncorrected refractive error of the eye.' B) 'Amblyopia is reduced vision in an eye that has not been adequately used during early development.' C) 'Amblyopia is a malalignment of the eye, which occurs at birth.' D) 'Amblyopia is a clouding of the lens of the eye caused by trauma to the eye.'
Ans: B Feedback: Some problems frequently identified in school-age children include amblyopia (lazy eye), uncorrected refractive errors or other eye defects, and malalignment of the eyes (called strabismus). Amblyopia is reduced vision in an eye that has not been adequately used during early development. Inadequate use can result from conditions such as strabismus, being cross-eyed, or one eye being more nearsighted, farsighted, or astigmatic than the other eye. Amblyopia is the leading cause of visual impairment in children (National Eye Institute, 2008) and if untreated can result in vision loss.
3. The pediatric nurse is aware of the maturation of organ systems in the school-age child. What accurately describes these changes? Select all that apply. A) The brain grows very slowly during the school-age years and growth is complete by the time the child is 12 years of age. B) Respiratory rates decrease, abdominal breathing disappears, and respirations become diaphragmatic in nature. C) The school-age child's blood pressure increases and the pulse rate decreases, and the heart grows more slowly during the middle years. D) The school-age child experiences more gastrointestinal upsets compared with earlier years since the stomach capacity increases. E) Bladder capacity increases, but varies among individual children, and girls generally have a greater bladder capacity than boys. F) Prepubescence typically occurs in the 2 years before the beginning of puberty and is characterized by the development of secondary sexual characteristics.
Ans: B, C, E, F Feedback: Respiratory rates decrease, abdominal breathing disappears, and respirations become diaphragmatic in nature. The school-age child's blood pressure increases and the pulse rate decreases. The heart grows more slowly during the middle years and is smaller in size in relation to the rest of the body than at any other development stage. Bladder capacity increases, but varies among individual children. Girls generally have a greater bladder capacity than boys. Prepubescence typically occurs in the 2 years before the beginning of puberty and is characterized by the development of secondary sexual characteristics. The brain and skull grow very slowly during the school-age years. Brain growth is complete by the time the child is 10 years of age. The school-age child experiences fewer gastrointestinal upsets compared with earlier years. Stomach capacity increases, which permits retention of food for longer periods of time.
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? A) 81 pounds B) 85 pounds C) 87 pounds D) 89 pounds
Ans: C Feedback: From 6 to 12 years of age, an increase of 7 pounds (3 to 3.5 kg) per year in weight is expected.
18. The nurse is teaching parents to plan nutritional meals for their 7-year-old son who is overweight. Which guideline might the nurse include in the teaching plan? A) School-age children with an average body weight of 20 to 35 kg need approximately 90 calories per kilogram daily. B) The average water requirement for a school-age child per 24 hours ranges from 2,000 to 2,500 mL per day. C) The school-age child needs 28 g of protein and 800 mg of calcium for maintenance of growth and good nutrition. D) In the school-age child, calories needed to sustain weight increase, while the appetite decreases.
Ans: C Feedback: The 4- to 8-year-old child needs 28 g of protein and 800 mg of calcium for maintenance of growth and good nutrition. School-age children with an average body weight of 20 to 35 kg need approximately 70 calories per kilogram daily (1,400 to 2,100 calories per day). The average water requirement per 24 hours ranges from 1,800 to 2,200 mL per day. Growth, body composition, and body shape remain constant during the late school-age years. Needed calories decrease while the appetite increases.
4. 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? A) 9 ounces B) 10 ounces C) 11 ounces D) 12 ounces
Ans: C Feedback: The formula for bladder capacity is age in years plus 2 ounces. Therefore, the bladder capacity of the 9-year-old would be 11 ounces.
19. The nurse has determined that an 8-year-old girl is at risk for being overweight. Which intervention would be a priority prior to developing the care plan? A) Determining the need for additional caloric intake B) Asking the parents who they want to work with the child C) Interviewing the parents about their eating habits D) Discussing the influence of peers on the child's diet
Ans: C Feedback: The nurse would need to find out what the parents' eating habits are like. It would not be necessary to determine the need for additional caloric intake. Developing a multidisciplinary plan is an intervention for a child with growth and development problems. Discussing the influence of peers is an intervention used for preventing injury.
25. The nurse is counseling the parents of a 10-year-old child who was caught stealing at school. Which topic should the nurse cover? A) Having the child return the property in front of his or her class B) Discussing ways for the child to save face C) Finding out what is currently going on at home D) Reminding the child daily that stealing is wrong
Ans: C Feedback: The parents need to understand the child's behavior. The reason for stealing at age 10 may be that the child wants the item or is trying to impress peers, or it may be a sign of anxiety. More information is needed before the nurse can effectively work with the family. The parents should work together with the child to decide how the item will be returned. The child will lose face but gain integrity by returning the stolen item. Reminding the child about stealing on a daily basis may ruin the child's self-esteem.
9. The nurse is assessing the gross motor skills of an 8-year-old boy. Which of interview question would facilitate this assessment? A) 'Do you like to do puzzles?' B) 'Do play any instruments?' C) 'Do you participate in any sports?' D) 'Do you like to construct models?'
Ans: C Feedback: To assess the gross motor skills of school-age children, the nurse should ask questions about participation in sports and after-school activities. For fine motor skills, the nurse could ask questions about band membership, constructing models, and writing skills.
27. The school nurse is teaching parents about the effects of bullying on school children. What accurately describes this developmental concern? A) Children who bully are those who report themselves as being lonely and having difficulty in forming friendships. B) Children with health issues, such as, disabilities, obesity and food allergies, are at a decreased risk of being bullied. C) In general, about 20% of all children attending school are frightened and afraid most of the day. D) Both boys and girls are bullied; boys usually bully boys and use force more often.
Ans: D Feedback: Both boys and girls are bullied and can bully others. Boys usually bully boys and use force more often, and boys are twice as likely to be victims of bullying. Bullied children are those who report themselves as being lonely and having difficulty in forming friendships. Children with health issues, such as disabilities, obesity, and food allergies, are at an increased risk of being bullied. In general, about 10% of all children attending school are frightened and afraid most of the day.
11. The school nurse knows that school-age children are developing metalinguistic awareness. Which is an example of this skill? A) The child enjoys reading books. B) The child enjoys conversations with peers. C) The child enjoys speaking on the phone. D) The child enjoys telling jokes.
Ans: D Feedback: Language skills continue to accelerate during the school-age years. School-age children develop metalinguistic awareness—an ability to think about language and comment on its properties. This enables them to enjoy jokes and riddles due to their understanding of double meanings and play on words and sounds.
20. The school nurse is preparing a talk on the influence of the media on school-age children to present at the next PTO meeting. Which fact might the nurse include in the introduction? A) Children in the United States spend about 6 hours a day either watching TV or playing video games. B) A child will see 2,000 murders by the end of grade school and 20,000 commercials a year. C) A school-age child cannot determine what is real from what is fantasy; therefore, TV and video games can lead to aggressive behavior. D) Parents should limit television watching and video-game playing to 2 hours per day.
Ans: D Feedback: Parents should limit television watching and video-game playing to 2 hours per day. Children in the United States spend about 4 hours a day either watching TV or playing video games. A child will see 8,000 murders by the end of grade school and 40,000 commercials a year. Although school-age children can determine what is real from what is fantasy, research has shown that this amount of time in front of the TV—watching it or playing video games—can lead to aggressive behavior, less physical activity, and altered body image.
14. 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? A) "The child's best friends will continue playing soccer." B) "The children will cheer for each other regardless of the sport being played." C) "Your child will rarely talk to you about his friends." D) "Acceptance by friends, especially of the same sex, is very important at this age."
Ans: D Feedback: Peer relationships, especially of the same sex, are very important and can influence the child's relationship with his parents. They can provide enough support that he can risk parental conflict and stand his ground about playing soccer. At this age, peer groups are made up of the child's best friends, and they happen to be playing baseball. Peer groups have rules and take up sides against the soccer player. Peers are an authority, so the child will let his parents know their opinions.
23. The parents of an 8-year-old boy are interested in promoting learning through reading to their son. Which suggestion by the nurse would best promote this goal? A) Have the parents choose what he should read initially. B) Tell the child to read instead of watching TV with his parents. C) Tell the parents that reading is for the child to do by himself. D) Take the child to the library to check out some books.
Ans: D Feedback: Taking the child to the library can be a positive start to the reading experience. It is best to let the librarian recommend books that will be appropriate for the child, but let the child choose from recommended materials. Set an example by reading instead of watching TV while the child is not in bed. Reading to the child is a valuable parent-child activity that can expose the child to classic works that are beyond the child's present reading ability.
