Developmental Stages: Infancy to Adolescents

The mother of a 16-year-old tells the nurse that she is concerned because her child sleeps about 8 hours every night and until noon every weekend. Which nursing response is most appropriate?

"Adolescents need that amount of sleep every night."

The registered nurse (RN) is educating a new RN on the "law and order orientation" found in level 2 of Kohlberg's theory of moral development. Which statement by the new RN indicates that the teaching has been effective?

"An example of this is: If I skip down the hall, will the teacher be mad at me?"

The mother of an 8-year-old child tells the clinic nurse that she is concerned about the child because the child seems to be more attentive to friends than anything else. Using Erikson's psychosocial development theory, the nurse should make which response

"At this age, the child is developing his own personality."

The clinic nurse provides information to the mother of a toddler regarding toilet training. Which statement by the mother indicates a need for further information regarding toilet training?

"Bladder control usually is achieved before bowel control."

The nurse in the well-baby clinic has provided instructions regarding dental care to the mother of a 10-month-old child. Which statement by the mother indicates a need for further instruction?

"I can coat a pacifier with honey during the day as long as I do not give my child a bottle at nap or bedtime."

The nurse is caring for a 4-year-old child with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The nurse should expect which statement that is aligned with the psychosocial expectations of this age?

"I know it hurts to die."

A 6-month-old infant is admitted to the hospital. The nurse weighs the infant and notes that the infant's weight is 14 pounds. Which statement by the mother indicates that further teaching is needed?

"I will have to increase his milk intake because he is not gaining enough weight."

The nurse educator is orienting a new nurse to the pediatric unit and is including tips for medication administration. Which statement by the new nurse indicates that the teaching has been effective?

"It helps to use magical thinking with the preschool age group."

A mother of a 4-year-old expresses concern because her hospitalized child has begun thumb sucking. The mother states that this behavior began 2 days after hospital admission. Which response by the nurse is appropriate?

"It is best to ignore the behavior."

The clinic nurse has provided instructions about dental care for toddlers to the mother of a 2-year-old child. Which statement, if made by the mother, indicates a need for further instruction?

"Proper dental care is not necessary for a toddler until the permanent teeth erupt."

The mother of a 5-year-old child tells the nurse that the child scolds the floor or a table if she hurts herself on the object. The nurse educates the mother according to Piaget's theory of cognitive development and its terminology and definitions. Which statement by the mother indicates that the teaching has been effective?

"This is an example of animism."

A 2-year-old child is treated in the emergency department for a burn to the chest and abdomen. The child sustained the burn by grabbing a cup of hot coffee that was left on the kitchen counter. The nurse reviews safety principles with the parents before discharge. Which statement by the parents indicates an understanding of measures to provide safety in the home?

"We will be sure not to leave hot liquids unattended."

The nurse is instructing the caregiver of a child about reprimanding the child. The nurse recognizes that additional teaching is needed if the caregiver makes which statement to the child?

"You need to stop hitting your sister."

The nurse educator is preparing to conduct a teaching session for the nursing staff regarding the theories of growth and development and plans to discuss Kohlberg's theory of moral development. What information should the nurse include in the session? Select all that apply.

-Moral development progresses in relationship to cognitive development. -A person's ability to make moral judgments develops over a period of time -The theory provides a framework for understanding how individuals determine a moral code to guide their behavior -In stage 2 (instrumental-relativist orientation), the child conforms to rules to obtain rewards or have favors returned.

Which interventions are appropriate for the care of an infant? Select all that apply.

-Provide swaddling. -Hang mobiles with black and white contrast designs -Caress the infant while bathing or during diaper changes.

A parent of a 3-year-old tells a clinic nurse that the child is rebelling constantly and having temper tantrums. Using Erikson's psychosocial development theory, which instructions should the nurse provide to the parent? Select all that apply.

-Set limits on the child's behavior. -Provide a simple explanation of why the behavior is unacceptable.

Which would be the highest expected growth and development occurrences at 9 months of age for an infant who has had appropriate growth assessed at each well-child visit? Select all that apply.

-Should be able to say "mama" and "dada" -Will pull up and stand for several seconds holding on to furniture -Will be able to pick up small pieces of food when placed in a high chair

The nurse is caring for a 4-year-old child. When experiencing pain, the nurse anticipates which about the child? Select all that apply.

-Views pain as a punishment -Blames someone else for the pain -Believes pain will disappear magically

A 7-year-old child is hospitalized with a fracture of the femur and is placed in traction. In meeting the psychosocial needs of the child, the nurse most appropriately selects which play activity for the child?

A board game

The mother of a 3-year-old asks a clinic nurse about appropriate and safe toys for the child. The nurse should tell the mother that the most appropriate toy for a 3-year-old is which?

A wagon

The mother of a 3-year-old is concerned because her child still is insisting on a bottle at nap time and at bedtime. Which is the most appropriate suggestion to the mother?

Allow the bottle if it contains water.

A 16-year-old client is admitted to the hospital for acute appendicitis and an appendectomy is performed. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate to facilitate normal growth and development postoperatively?

Allow the client to interact with others in his or her (adolescent) same age group.

The maternity nurse is providing instructions to a new mother regarding the psychosocial development of the newborn infant. Using Erikson's psychosocial development theory, the nurse instructs the mother to take which measure?

Allow the newborn infant to signal a need.

A 15-year-old is injured and sustains a fractured jaw. The fractured jaw has been surgically wired, and the health care provider (HCP) has prescribed a full liquid diet. Which nursing action would best promote compliance and provide an adequate nutrient value with the full liquid diet for this teenager?

Ask the teenager for food preferences and liquefy these foods using a blender.

The nurse in the pediatric unit is admitting a 2½-year-old child. Which stage in Erikson's psychosocial stages of development should the nurse plan care around?

Autonomy versus Shame and Doubt

The nurse at a well-baby clinic is assessing the language and communication developmental milestones of a 4-month-old infant. On the basis of the age of the infant, what should the nurse expect to note as the highest-level developmental milestone?

Babbling sounds

Which car safety device should be used for a child who is 8 years old and 4 feet tall?

Booster seat

The nurse at a well-baby clinic is providing nutrition instructions to the mother of a 1-month-old infant. What instruction should the nurse give to the mother?

Breast milk or formula is the main food.

The nurse is preparing to care for a 5-year-old who has been placed in traction following a fracture of the femur. The nurse plans care, knowing that which is the most appropriate activity for this child?

Crayons and a coloring book

The nurse is monitoring a 3-month-old infant for signs of increased intracranial pressure. On palpation of the fontanels, the nurse notes that the anterior fontanel is soft and flat. On the basis of this finding, which nursing action is most appropriate?

Document the finding.

The nurse assesses the vital signs of a 12-month-old infant with a respiratory infection and notes that the respiratory rate is 35 breaths/minute. On the basis of this finding, which action is most appropriate

Document the findings.

A 4-year-old child diagnosed with leukemia is hospitalized for chemotherapy. The child is fearful of the hospitalization. Which nursing intervention should be implemented to alleviate the child's fears?

Encourage the child's parents to stay with the child.

The nurse is developing a plan of care for a 4-year-old child scheduled for a renal biopsy. What developmental characteristic of this child should the nurse consider?

Fears of mutilation may be present in the child.

A mother tells the nurse in a pediatrician's office that she is concerned because her children must let themselves into the house after school each day while she is at work. The nurse explores which suggestion with the mother to decrease the children's sense of isolation and fear?

Find community after-school programs or activities.

The mother of a toddler informs the nurse that her child has frequent temper tantrums. The nurse should instruct the mother to implement which measure to deal with the temper tantrums?

Ignore the behavior.

A mother arrives at a clinic with her toddler and tells the nurse that she has a difficult time getting the child to go to bed at night. What measure is most appropriate for the nurse to suggest to the mother?

Inform the child of bedtime a few minutes before it is time for bed.

The nurse is observing a caregiver minimize misbehavior when a child is playing with an excessively noisy toy. The nurse recognizes that further instruction is needed about the appropriate way to do this if the caregiver takes which action?

Instructs the child, "Don't touch that toy."

The nurse is caring for a 14-year-old girl who is hospitalized and has been placed in traction using Crutchfield tongs. The child is having difficulty adjusting to the prolonged hospital confinement. Which nursing action would be appropriate to meet the child's needs?

Let the child wear her own clothing when friends visit.

The pediatric nurse is caring for a hospitalized toddler. What does the nurse determine is the most appropriate play activity for the toddler?

Playing with a push-pull toy

The nurse is assigned to care for a hospitalized toddler. The nurse plans care, knowing that what should be the highest priority?

Protecting the toddler from injury

The nurse is admitting a 10-month-old infant who is being hospitalized for a respiratory infection. The nurse develops a plan of care for the infant and includes which most appropriate intervention?

Providing a consistent routine with touching, rocking, and cuddling throughout hospitalization

The clinic nurse is preparing to explain the concepts of Kohlberg's theory of moral development with a parent. The nurse should tell the parent that which factor motivates good and bad actions for the child at the preconventional level?

Punishment and reward

The nurse notes that a 6-year-old child does not recognize that objects exist even when the objects are outside of the visual field. Based on this observation, which action should the nurse take

Report the observation to the health care provider.

An infant is being seen in the pediatrician's office for a 2-month-old well-child visit. The nurse encourages the mother to allow the infant to suck on a pacifier during a routine immunization. The nurse explains to the mother that the child is at which stage of Piaget's cognitive development?

Sensorimotor development

The nurse is preparing to perform a pediatric physical examination. The child refuses to sit on the examining table, screams when the nurse attempts to perform the assessment, and does not make eye contact. What is the most appropriate initial nursing action?

Talk to the parent while ignoring the child.

The parents of a 2-year-old arrive at a hospital to visit their child. The child is in the playroom when the parents arrive. When the parents enter the playroom, the child does not readily approach the parents. Which is the correct interpretation of the behavior?

The child exhibits detachment.

The nurse is describing Piaget's cognitive developmental theory to pediatric nursing staff. The nurse should tell that staff that which child behavior is characteristic of the formal operations stage?

The child has the ability to think abstractly.

A 10-year-old child has been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus, and the nurse prepares to educate the family. The child is very active socially and often is away from the parents. Which is the best focus of the nurse's teaching for this client?

The child is taught how to monitor insulin requirements and how to self-administer the insulin.

The nurse at a well-baby clinic is assessing the motor development of a 24-month-old child. On the basis of the age of the child, the nurse expects to note what as the highest-level developmental milestone?

The child opens a door by turning the doorknob.

A nursing student is presenting a clinical conference to peers regarding Freud's psychosexual stages of development, specifically the anal stage. The student explains to the group that which characteristic relates to this stage of development?

This stage is associated with toilet training.

A 1-year-old child with hypospadias is scheduled for surgery to correct this condition. While preparing the nursing care plan for this child, which factor should the nurse take into consideration?

This surgery is taking place at a time when fears of separation are great.

The nurse prepares to take the blood pressure of a school-age child. To obtain an accurate measurement, how should the nurse position the blood pressure cuff?

Two thirds of the distance between the antecubital fossa and the shoulder

The nurse is evaluating the developmental level of a 2-year-old. Which does the nurse expect to observe in this child?

Uses a cup to drink

The clinic nurse assesses the communication patterns of a 5-month-old infant. Which assessment finding should lead the nurse to determine that the infant is demonstrating the highest level of developmental achievement expected?

Uses monosyllabic babbling

Which would be the highest expected growth and development occurrence at 12 months of age for an infant who has had appropriate growth assessed at each well-child visit?

Walks holding on to someone's hand

A 2-year-old child has been admitted to the hospital for management of pneumonia. The child is placed in an oxygen tent. Taking into consideration the child's age and developmental level and the treatment being administered, which statement is appropriate for the nurse to make to the parents?

You can sit next to him and hold his hand through the tent, but he needs to remain inside of it."