Peds Practice: Ch 28 (School-Aged)
The father of a 12-year-old girl reports his daughter does not have high self-esteem. He asks for suggestions to increase her feels of self-worth. What activities would be appropriate for the nurse to suggest? Select all that apply.
Encourage the child to join a club at school. Recommend she begin to participate in after-school activities. Recommend the child investigate opportunities for volunteering at local charities.
An 8-year-old boy's foster mother is discussing her concerns about three recent cavities found in his permanent teeth. The mother reports that her child eats a nutritional diet, doesn't eat junk food, and the town water supply is fluoridated. What would the nurse suggest to this mother is the most appropriate in regard to the child's dental health?
Ensure that the child brushes his teeth after each meal and snacks. Proper dental hygiene includes a routine inspection and conscientious brushing after meals. A well-balanced diet with plenty of calcium and phosphorus and minimal sugar is important to healthy teeth. Foods containing sugar should be eaten only at mealtimes and should be followed immediately by proper brushing. The school-age child should visit the dentist at least twice a year for a cleaning and application of fluoride. page 168
The nurse is educating the parents of a 10-year-old girl in ways to help their child avoid tobacco. Which suggestion should be part of the nurse's advice?
"As parents, you need to be good role models." The nurse would recommend that the parents be good role models and quit smoking. Locking up or hiding your cigarettes and going outside to smoke is not as effective as having a tobacco-free environment in the home. Page 170
A mother calls the advance practice pediatric nurse practitioner about her 7-year-old daughter's dental hygiene. The daughter has had three cavities. She does not know what to do and asks the nurse for guidance. How should the nurse respond?
"Are you able to supervise her brushing?"
The nurse is educating the parents of a 10-year-old girl in ways to help their child avoid tobacco. Which suggestion should be part of the nurse's advice?
"As parents, you need to be good role models."
The mother of a 7-year-old girl is asking the nurse's advice about getting her daughter a 2-wheel bike. Which response by the nurse is most important?
"Be sure to get the proper size bike." It is very important to get a bike of the proper size for the child. Getting a bike that the child can "grow into" is dangerous. Training wheels and grass to fall on are not acceptable substitutes for the proper protective gear. The child should already demonstrate good coordination in other playing skills before attempting to ride a bike. Page 165
The parents of a 10-year-old girl voice concern to the nurse because their daughter seems to "have a higher amount of body fat" than they expect based on the healthy eating habits and high activity level of the family. What is the best response by the nurse?
"Before adolescence the body fat composition of school-age children increases earlier and in greater amounts in girls than in boys." Boys have more lean body mass per inch of height than girls during the late school-age years, in preparation for adolescence. page 166
The school nurse is speaking with a group of teachers about bullying. Which statement by a teacher would indicate a need for further education by the nurse?
"Boys bully more often but girls are more likely to be bullied."
The parents of an 8-year-old boy report their son is being bullied and teased by a group of boys in the neighborhood. Which response by the nurse is best?
"Bullying can have lifelong effects on the self-esteem of a child." The child can be permanently scarred by negative experiences such a bullying. Activities such as self-defense and sports can promote a sense of accomplishment but don't relate directly to the problem of bullying. There is no indication the child in the scenario will become a bully. page 173
The nurse is working with a group of caregivers of 6-year-olds. One of the mothers states her son has been lying and making up stories; she asks for some advice about how to address the issue. What would be an appropriate response by the nurse?
"Children this age sometimes can't distinguish between fantasy and reality." Children in the age group 6 to 7 years often engage in magical thinking. They may still believe in the tooth fairy, Santa Claus, monsters under the bed, and other imaginary characters. These children's keen imaginations may also conjure up fears, especially at night, about remote, fanciful, or imaginary events. If a child of this age has trouble distinguishing fantasy from reality, it may incline them to lie to escape punishment or to boost self-confidence. The other choices do not consider this child's stage of development or give the mother the most appropriate information for the situation. Page 171
The nurse is teaching a group of caregivers of school-age children on various topics. Which statement made by the caregivers indicates a need for further teaching?
"Food is so expensive, we always make our children eat everything on their plates."
The parents of a 7-year-old tell the nurse that they are concerned that their child has attention deficit activity disorder (ADHD) because he can't seem to stay focused when playing in a baseball game. What questions/comments by the nurse are appropriate? Select all that apply.
"How is his attention span during school?" "Do you notice him getting distracted in other activities, like bicycling?"
During a routine wellness examination, the nurse is trying to determine how well a 5-year-old boy communicates and comprehends instructions. What is the best specific trigger question to determine the preschooler's linguistic and cognitive progress?
"How well does your son communicate or follow instructions?"
The nurse is discussing the topic of obesity with a group of mothers of school-age children. Which statement made by the caregivers indicates the best understanding of factors that contribute to obesity?
"I always cook foods that are low in fat."
The school nurse asks a group of school-age children about pedestrian safety. Which comments by the children should the nurse address with either the child or parents of the child? Select all that apply.
"I am 6 years old and I walk my younger brother to the park that is 5 blocks from our house." My friends and I like to walk on the side of the road because our sidewalk is very uneven." "I think it is funny to hide behind my dad's car before he leaves for work and scare him."
The nurse is discussing nutrition with the mother of a 6-year-old boy. Which response by the boy's mother indicates a need for further discussion?
"I make him eat some of everything I put on his plate."
The nurse is taking a health history for a 12-year-old boy who is seriously overweight. Which general question would the nurse direct to the child's parents?
"Is there a family history of hypertension, heart disease, or diabetes?" Parents would be more knowledgeable than the child regarding health problems within the family. The other questions are appropriate for the child to answer and may motivate him to think about meal patterns, diet, and exercise habits. The parents will benefit from listening to these questions also since their habits influence the child page 166
A 10-year-old child tells the school nurse that she is embarrassed that she is afraid of the dark. Which is the best response by the nurse?
"It is normal for a 10-year-old to be afraid of the dark so there is no need to be embarrassed. Would you like to talk about it?"
The nurse is talking with the parents of an 8-year-old boy who has been cheating at school. Which comment should be the nurse's primary message?
"Make sure that your behavior around your son is exemplary."
The nurse is discussing nutrition choices with a group of parents of 10- to 12-year-old children. The nurse determines that the discussion was successful based on which statements by a parent? Select all that apply.
"My 12-year-old son, who plays soccer, needs to consume around 2,000 calories a day to maintain good health." "The highest percentage of my child's diet should come from carbohydrates."
The nurse is teaching a group of caregivers of school-age children about the importance of setting a consistent bedtime for the school-age child. Which statement made by a caregiver indicates an understanding of the sleep patterns and needs of the school-age child?
"My child sleeps between 11 and 12 hours a night." The school-age child needs 10 to 12 hours of sleep each night. Staying up late after taking an after-school nap, not knowing when the child is tired, and sleeping more than a teenager when compared with a school-age child refer to sleep behaviors and needs of children of younger and older ages. page 168
The parents of a 10-year-old tell the clinic nurse that they are concerned because they noticed that their child has gained about 10 pounds over the past 2 years. What is the best response by the nurse?
"Normal growth and development for this age results in an average weight gain of 7 pounds per year." Children of school-age grow an average of 2.5 inches (6 to 7 centimeters) per year and gain an average of 7 pounds per year; therefore, the 10 pounds over 2 years is normal and it is important for the parents to know this, regardless if they are not overweight. Simply comparing them to other children seen in the clinic doesn't mean it is a normal expectation. While activity is important, the nurse must first address the parent's concern. Page 154
The nurse is caring for a 6-year-old boy. During the course of a routine wellness examination, the mother proudly reports that the child eats whatever the mother puts on his plate. The nurse wants to emphasize the importance of allowing the child to make some of his own choices regarding the types of foods he eats. How should the nurse communicate this to the mother?
"Now is the time to let him choose some of his meals."
During a health history assessment, the mother of a 10-year-old girl tells you that her daughter does not have time to "play" because she is busy going to gymnastics, cheerleading, art class, flute lessons, reading club, and soccer. What should the nurse's response be?
"Play helps children to develop cognitively, socially, physically, and emotionally." It is important to recognize that the child is busy with other activities but that this does not replace the need to engage in play. Children need time to play because it helps them to develop cognitively, socially, physically, and emotionally. Play at this age embodies the needs for rules and structures. Engaging in group activities allows children to be part of a social group. Page 155
The parents of an 8-year-old girl with a slow-to-warm temperament are concerned about their daughter's reaction when she visits the dentist for the first time after having a cavity filled at the last visit. How should the nurse respond?
"Remind her in simple terms what will happen in the dentist's office." Due to the girl's temperament, it is best if the parent's talk to the dentist before the first visit to find out exactly what the dentist will be doing and then describe to the child in simple terms what will occur. Reminding the child about the importance of proper oral hygiene is unhelpful. Telling the child that the dental checkup is just like going to see the pediatrician is untrue. It is inappropriate to advise the parents to not prepare the girl in advance. page 159
The mother of two children ages 6 and 12 reports that her 6-year-old child seems to have "cold after cold" while her older child never seems to be ill. She questions if there is something wrong with her younger child. What is the best response by the nurse?
"The immune system of your younger child is less mature and may result in having more infections."
The nurse is conducting teaching with families of school-age children. Which statement made by the nurse is most appropriate related to topics that would be covered with this group of individuals?
"The school-age child needs 10 to 12 hours of sleep per night."
The parents of a 9-year-old boy report they have been homeschooling their son and now plan to enroll him in the local public school. They voice concerns about the influence of the other children on their son's values. Which information should the nurse provide the parents?
"The values of the family will likely prevail for your son."
During an annual visit of a 6-year-old boy, the nurse observes dental caries on two of the child's primary teeth. Which response by the parents suggests more education is needed regarding the importance of primary teeth?
"These are only his baby teeth so we are not worried."
The parents of a 9-year-old child voice concern that their daughter seems to be gaining weight rapidly. The nurse reviews the medical record and notes the child has increased his weight by 6 or 7 pounds (2.7 to 3.2 kg) per year for the past 2 years. What response by the nurse is indicated?
"Weight gains of about 7 pounds per year are normal for children in this age range."
A parent brings a 6-year-old to the clinic and informs the nurse that the child is tired all the time even though the child sleeps 7 to 8 hours each night. What is the best response by the nurse?
"Your child should be getting 11 to 12 hours of sleep per night with some quiet time after school." The 6-year-old needs 12 hours of sleep and should be provided with a quiet time after school to recharge after a busy day in the classroom.
The parents of a 7-year-old girl report concerns about her seemingly low self-esteem. The parents question how self-esteem is developed in a young girl. Which response by the nurse is best?
"Your daughter's self-esteem is influenced by feedback from people they view as authorities at this age."
The nurse is teaching parents of an 11-year-old girl how to deal with the issues relating to peer pressure to use tobacco and alcohol. Which suggestion provides the best course of action for the parents?
Discuss tobacco and alcohol use with the child.
The school nurse notices that one of the children in the classroom next to the nurse's room frequently goes to the bathroom. The nurse knows that the bladder capacity for this 11-year-old child should be how much?
13
The nurse is assessing the nutritional needs of an 8-year-old girl who weighs 65 pounds (29.5 kg). Which amount of calories would provide the proper daily caloric intake for this child?
2,065 calories per day
A hospitalized 7-year-old is recovering from a head injury. Occupational therapy has been ordered to assist the child in regaining eye/hand coordination. If the child cannot master this skill, what feelings may arise?
A feeling of inferiority Children who are unsuccessful in completing activities during the school-age phase, whether from physical, social, or cognitive disadvantages, develop a feeling of inferiority. Page 155
A nurse is caring for a hospitalized 7-year-old whose family members have been unable to visit for 2 days. The nurse is preparing a diversional activity for the child. Which activity would best be suited for a child in this age group?
A paint-by-numbers activity Between the ages of 6 and 8 years, children begin to enjoy participating in real-life activities, such as helping with gardening, housework, and other chores. They love making things, such as drawings, paintings, and craft projects.
The nurse at an elementary school is explaining the concept of industry versus inferiority to a group of nursing students. What is part of this stage of Erikson's theory?
A sense of competence, mastery, and worth
An *8-year-old girl* tells the nurse that *she has cancer because God is punishing her for "being bad."* She shares her concern that, if she dies, she will go to hell. The nurse should *interpret this as being*: a. A belief common at this age. b. A belief that forms the basis for most religions. c. Suggestive of excessive family pressure. d. Suggestive of a failure to develop a conscience.
A. A belief common at this age. Children at this age may view illness or injury as a punishment for a real or imagined mystique. The belief in divine punishment is common at this age.
Teasing can be common during the school-age years. Which of the following does the nurse recognize as applying most to teasing? a. Can have a lasting effect on children b. Is not a significant threat to self-concept c. Is rarely based on anything that is concrete d. Is usually ignored by the child who is being teased
A. Can have a lasting effect on children Teasing in this age group is common and can have a long-lasting effect. Increasing awareness of differences, especially when accompanied by unkind comments and taunts from others, may make a child feel inferior and undesirable. Physical impairments such as hearing or visual defects, ears that "stick out," or birth marks assume great importance.
A child has an evulsed (knocked-out) tooth. In which medium should the nurse instruct the parents to place the tooth for transport to the dentist? a. Cold milk c. Warm salt water b. Cold water d. A dry, clean jar
A. Cold milk An evulsed tooth should be placed in a suitable medium for transport, either cold milk or saliva (under the child's or parent's tongue). Cold milk is a more suitable medium for transport than cold water, warm salt water, or a dry, clean jar.
The ability to mentally understand that 1 + 3 = 4 and 4 - 3 = 1 occurs in which stage of cognitive development? a. Concrete operations stage b. Formal operations stage c. Intuitive thought stage d. Preoperations stage
A. Concrete operations stage By 7 to 8 years of age, the child is able to retrace a process (reversibility) and has the skills necessary for solving mathematical problems. This stage is called concrete operations. The formal operations stage deals with abstract reasoning and does not occur until adolescence. Thinking in the intuitive stage is based on immediate perceptions. A child in this stage often solves problems by random guessing. In preoperational thinking, the child is usually able to add 1 + 3 = 4 but is unable to retrace the process.
A *9-year-old* girl often comes to the school nurse complaining of stomach pains. Her teacher says that she is completing her schoolwork satisfactorily, but lately she has been somewhat aggressive and stubborn in the classroom. The school nurse should recognize this as: a. Signs of stress. b. Developmental delay. c. A physical problem causing emotional stress. d. Lack of adjustment to the school environment.
A. Signs of stress. Signs of stress include stomach pains or headache, sleep problems, bed-wetting, changes in eating habits, aggressive or stubborn behavior, reluctance to participate, or regression to early behaviors. This child is exhibiting signs of stress, not developmental delay, a physical problem, or lack of adjustment.
Which statement characterizes moral development in older school-age children? a. They are able to judge an act by the intentions that prompted it rather than just by the consequences. b. Rules and judgments become more absolute and authoritarian. c. They view rule violations in an isolated context. d. They know the rules but cannot understand the reasons behind them.
A. They are able to judge an act by the intentions that prompted it rather than just by the consequences. Older school-age children are able to judge an act by the intentions that prompted the behavior rather than just by the consequences. Rules and judgments become less absolute and authoritarian. Rule violation is likely to be viewed in relation to the total context in which it appears. Both the situation and the morality of the rule itself influence reactions.
Which activity is most appropriate for developing fine motor skills in the school-age child? a. Drawing b. Singing c. Soccer d. Swimming
A. drawing Activities such as drawing, building models, and playing a musical instrument increase the school-age child's fine motor skills. Singing is an appropriate activity for the school-age child, but it does not increase fine motor skills. The school-age child needs to participate in group activities to increase both gross motor skills and social skills, but group activities do not increase fine motor skills. Swimming is an activity that also increases gross motor skills.
Peer victimization is becoming a significant problem for school-age children and adolescents in the United States. Parents should be educated regarding signs that a child is being bullied. These might include (select all that apply): a. The child spends an inordinate amount of time in the nurse's office. b. Belongings frequently go missing or are damaged. c. The child wants to be driven to school. d. School performance improves. e. The child freely talks about his or her day.
ABC Signs that may indicate a child is being bullied are similar to signs of other types of stress and include nonspecific illness or complaints, withdrawal, depression, school refusal, and decreased school performance. Children expressed fear of going to school or riding the school bus, and their belongings often are damaged or missing. Very often, children will not talk about what is happening to them.
Which demonstrates the school-age child's developing logic in the stage of concrete operations (select all that apply)? a. The school-age child is able to recognize that he can be a son, brother, or nephew at the same time. b. The school-age child understands the principles of adding, subtracting, and reversibility. c. The school-age child understands the principles of adding, subtracting, and reversibility. d. The school-age child has thinking that is characterized by egocentrism and animism.
ABC The school-age child understands that the properties of objects do not change when their order, form, or appearance does. Conservation occurs in the concrete operations stage. Comprehension of class inclusion occurs as the school-age child's logic increases. The child begins to understand that a person can be in more than one class at the same time. This is characteristic of concrete thinking and logical reasoning. The school-age child is able to understand principles of adding, subtracting, and the process of reversibility, which occurs in the stage of concrete operations. Thinking that is characterized by egocentrism and animism occurs in the intuitive thought stage, not the concrete operations stage of development.
A nurse is planning care for a 7-year-old child hospitalized with osteomyelitis. Which activities should the nurse plan to bring from the playroom for the child (select all that apply)? a. Paper and some paints b. Board games c. Jack-in-the-box d. Stuffed animals e. Computer games
ABE School-age children become fascinated with complex board, card, or computer games that they can play alone, with a best friend, or with a group. They also enjoy sewing, cooking, carpentry, gardening, and creative activities such as painting. Jack-in-the-box and stuffed animals would be appropriate for a toddler or preschool child.
A nurse is recommending strategies to a group of school-age children for prevention of obesity. Which should the nurse include (select all that apply)? a. Eat breakfast daily. b. Limit fruits and vegetables. c. Have frequent family meals with parents present. d. Eat frequently at restaurants. e. Limit television viewing to 2 hours a day.
ACE The nurse should counsel school-age children to eat breakfast daily, have mealtimes with family, and limit television viewing to 2 hours a day to prevent obesity. Fruits and vegetables should be consumed in the recommended quantities, and eating at restaurants should be limited.
While observing a group of 9-year-old children at school, the nurse is concerned that one of the children is not cognitively developing according the Piaget's stage of concrete-operational thought processes. With which activity is the nurse concerned?
Does not understand the phrase "slow as molasses" when used by the teacher
The nurse is caring for a 10-year-old who has been admitted for surgery. What action would be the most important for the nurse to do when caring for this child?
Answer questions the child asks regarding pain. School-age children need privacy more than younger children do and may not want to have physical contact with adults; this wish should be respected. These attitudes should be recognized and handled in a way that ensures as much privacy as possible. Children's questions, including those about pain, should be answered truthfully. An opportunity to verbalize anxieties will help a child deal with them. Family caregivers may feel guilty about the child's need for hospitalization and, as a result, may overindulge the child. The child may regress in response to this, but this regression should not be encouraged. Page 161
An 11-year-old boy is significantly above the 100% percentile for height. The boy tells the school nurse that his parents expect so much out of him when he is playing basketball for the school team that he is thinking of quitting. What action should the nurse take?
Arrange a conference with the parents, son, and nurse to discuss the child's concerns.
Parents of a 12-year-old child ask the clinic nurse, "How many hours of sleep should our child get?' The nurse should respond that 12-year-old children need how many hours of sleep at night? a. 8 c. 10 b. 9 d. 11
B. 9 School-age children usually do not require naps, but they do need to sleep approximately 11 hours at age 5 years and 9 hours at age 12 years each night.
Which statement accurately describes *physical development* during the *school-age* years? a. The child's weight almost triples. b. A child grows an average of 2 inches per year. c. Few physical differences are apparent among children at the end of middle childhood. d. Fat gradually increases, which contributes to the child's heavier appearance.
B. A child grows an average of 2 inches per year. In middle childhood, growth in height and weight occur at a slower pace. Between the ages of 6 and 12 years, children grow 2 inches per year. In middle childhood, children's weight will almost double; they gain 3 kg/year. At the end of middle childhood, girls grow taller and gain more weight than boys. Children take on a slimmer look with longer legs in middle childhood.
An important consideration for the school nurse who is planning a class on bicycle safety is: a. Most bicycle injuries involve collision with an automobile. b. Head injuries are the major causes of bicycle-related fatalities. c. Children should wear bicycle helmets if they ride on paved streets. d. Children should not ride double unless the bicycle has an extra-large seat.
B. Head injuries are the major causes of bicycle-related fatalities. The most important aspect of bicycle safety is to encourage the rider to use a protective helmet. Head injuries are the major cause of bicycle-related fatalities. Although motor vehicle collisions do cause injuries to bicyclists, most injuries result from falls. The child should always wear a properly fitted helmet approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Children should not ride double.
What is *descriptive of the play* of *school-age* children? a. Individuality in play is better tolerated than at earlier ages. b. Knowing the rules of a game gives an important sense of belonging. c. They like to invent games, making up the rules as they go. d. Team play helps children learn the universal importance of competition and winning.
B. Knowing the rules of a game gives an important sense of belonging. Play involves increased physical skill, intellectual ability, and fantasy. Children form groups and cliques and develop a sense of belonging to a team or club. At this age, children begin to see the need for rules. Conformity and ritual permeate their play. Their games have fixed and unvarying rules, which may be bizarre and extraordinarily rigid. With team play, children learn about competition and the importance of winning, an attribute highly valued in the United States.
Which statement *best describes fear in school-age children?* a. They are increasingly fearful for body safety. b. Most of the new fears that trouble them are related to school and family. c. They should be encouraged to hide their fears to prevent ridicule by peers. d. Those who have numerous fears need continuous protective behavior by parents to eliminate these fears.
B. Most of the new fears that trouble them are related to school and family. During the school-age years, children experience a wide variety of fears, but new fears related predominantly to school and family bother children during this time. During the middle-school years, children become less fearful of body safety than they were as preschoolers. Parents and other persons involved with children should discuss their fear with them individually or as a group activity. Sometimes school-age children hide their fears to avoid being teased. Hiding the fears does not end them and may lead to phobias.
Which behavior by parents or teachers will best assist the child in negotiating the developmental task of industry? a. Identifying failures immediately and asking the child's peers for feedback b. Structuring the environment so the child can master tasks c. Completing homework for children who are having difficulty in completing assignments d. Decreasing expectations to eliminate potential failures
B. Structuring the environment so the child can master tasks The task of the caring teacher or parent is to identify areas in which a child is competent and to build on successful experiences to foster feelings of mastery and success. Structuring the environment to enhance self-confidence and to provide the opportunity to solve increasingly more complex problems will promote a sense of mastery. Asking peers for feedback reinforces the child's feelings of failure. When teachers or parents complete children's homework for them, it sends the message that they do not trust the children to do a good job. Providing assistance and suggestions and praising their best efforts are more appropriate. Decreasing expectations to eliminate failures will not promote a sense of achievement or mastery.
When teaching injury prevention during the school-age years, the nurse should include: a. Teaching the need to fear strangers. b. Teaching basic rules of water safety. c. Avoiding letting children cook in microwave ovens. d. Cautioning children against engaging in competitive sports.
B. Teaching basic rules of water safety. Water safety instruction is an important source of injury prevention at this age. The child should be taught to swim, select safe and supervised places to swim, swim with a companion, check sufficient water depth for diving, and use an approved flotation device. Teach stranger safety, not fearing strangers. This includes not going with strangers, not having personalized clothing in public places, having children tell parents if anyone makes them uncomfortable, and teaching children to say "no" in uncomfortable situations. Teach children safe cooking methods. Caution against engaging in hazardous sports, such as those involving trampolines.
A nurse is assessing an older school-age child recently admitted to the hospital. Which assessment indicates that the child is in an appropriate stage of cognitive development? a. The child's addition and subtraction ability b. The child's ability to classify c. The child's vocabulary d. The child's play activity
B. The child's ability to classify The ability to classify things from simple to complex and the ability to identify differences and similarities are cognitive skills of the older school-age child; this demonstrates use of classification and logical thought processes. Subtraction and addition are appropriate cognitive activities for the young school-age child. Vocabulary is not as valid an assessment of cognitive ability as is the child's ability to classify. Play activity is not as valid an assessment of cognitive function as is the ability to classify.
A nurse teaches parents that team play is important for school-age children. Which can children develop by experiencing team play (select all that apply)? a. Achieve personal goals over group goals. b. Learn complex rules. c. Experience competition. d. Learn about division of labor.
BCD Team play helps stimulate cognitive growth because children are called on to learn many complex rules, make judgments about those rules, plan strategies, and assess the strengths and weaknesses of members of their own team and members of the opposing team. Team play can also contribute to children's social, intellectual, and skill growth. Children work hard to develop the skills needed to become team members, to improve their contribution to the group, and to anticipate the consequences of their behavior for the group. Team play teaches children to modify or exchange personal goals for goals of the group; it also teaches them that division of labor is an effective strategy for attaining a goal.
A nurse is teaching parents of first-grade children general guidelines to assist their children in adapting to school. Which statement by the parents indicates they understand the teaching? a. "We will only meet with the teacher if problems occur." b. "We will discourage hobbies so our child focuses on schoolwork." c. "We will plan a trip to the library as often as possible." d. "We will expect our child to make all As in school."
C. "We will plan a trip to the library as often as possible." General guidelines for parents to help their child in school include sharing an interest in reading. The library should be used frequently and books the child is reading should be discussed. Hobbies should be encouraged. The parents should not expect all As. They should focus on growth more than grades.
Generally the *earliest age* at which *puberty* begins is: a. 13 years in girls, 13 years in boys. b. 11 years in girls, 11 years in boys. c. 10 years in girls, 12 years in boys. d. 12 years in girls, 10 years in boys.
C. 10 years in girls, 12 years in boys. Puberty signals the beginning of the development of secondary sex characteristics. This begins in girls earlier than in boys. Usually a 2-year difference occurs in the age at onset. Girls and boys do not usually begin puberty at the same age; girls usually begin earlier than boys do.
A nurse planning care for a school-age child should take into account that which thought process is seen at this age? a. Animism b. Magical thinking c. Ability to conserve d. Thoughts are all-powerful
C. Ability to conserve One cognitive task of school-age children is mastering the concept of conservation. At an early age (5 to 7 years), children grasp the concept of reversibility of numbers as a basis for simple mathematics problems (e.g., 2 + 4 = 6 and 6 - 4 = 2). They learn that simply altering their arrangement in space does not change certain properties of the environment, and they are able to resist perceptual cues that suggest alterations in the physical state of an object. Animism, magical thinking, and believing that thoughts are all-powerful are thought processes seen in preschool children.
A group of boys ages 9 and 10 years have formed a "boys-only" club that is open to neighborhood and school friends who have skateboards. This should be interpreted as: a. Behavior that encourages bullying and sexism. b. Behavior that reinforces poor peer relationships. c. Characteristic of social development of this age. d. Characteristic of children who later are at risk for membership in gangs.
C. Characteristic of social development of this age. One of the outstanding characteristics of middle childhood is the creation of formalized groups or clubs. Peer-group identification and association are essential to a child's socialization. Poor relationships with peers and a lack of group identification can contribute to bullying. A boys-only club does not have a direct correlation with later gang activity.
Identify the statement that is the most accurate about moral development in the 9-year-old school-age child. a. Right and wrong are based on physical consequences of behavior. b. The child obeys parents because of fear of punishment. c. The school-age child conforms to rules to please others. d. Parents are the determiners of right and wrong for the school-age child.
C. The school-age child conforms to rules to please others The 7- to 12-year-old child bases right and wrong on a good-boy or good-girl orientation in which the child conforms to rules to please others and avoid disapproval. Children 4 to 7 years of age base right and wrong on consequences, the most important consideration for this age-group. Parents determine right and wrong for the child younger than 4 years of age.
What describes *moral development* in *younger school-age children*? a. The standards of behavior now come from within themselves. b. They do not yet experience a sense of guilt when they misbehave. c. They know the rules and behaviors expected of them but do not understand the reasons behind them. d. They no longer interpret accidents and misfortunes as punishment for misdeeds.
C. They know the rules and behaviors expected of them but do not understand the reasons behind them. Children who are ages 6 and 7 years know the rules and behaviors expected of them but do not understand the reasons for them. Young children do not believe that standards of behavior come from within themselves but that rules are established and set down by others. Younger school-age children learn standards for acceptable behavior, act according to these standards, and feel guilty when they violate them. Misfortunes and accidents are viewed as punishment for bad acts.
A nursing student is presenting information to the class about abuse of children. The nursing instructor should intervene when the student presents which information? Select all that apply.
Child abuse and sexual abuse are not the same thing The concepts of "good touch" versus "bad touch" should be taught around the age of 10 years The nurse should speak with the family first if child abuse is suspected Child abuse includes physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. Parents should teach children the concept of "good touch" versus "bad touch" prior to school-age years. If school-age child's behavior yields suspicion of physical or sexual abuse, the nurse should report to the appropriate authorities in his or her state. page 166
A nurse is assigned to care for a 7-year-old with cystic fibrosis. The child wants to show the nurse his collection of baseball cards. The nurse understands that the collection of objects is common in this age group and is known as what type of thinking?
Classification
The parents of a school-aged child with school phobia have taken her to three different psychiatrists trying to resolve this problem. Based on this, which nursing diagnosis would be most appropriate?
Compromised parental coping related to inability to enforce school attendance
The nurse is about to see a 9-year-old girl for a well-child checkup. Knowing that the child is in Piaget's period of concrete operational thought, which characteristic should the child display?
Consider an action and its consequences. The child will be able to consider an action and its consequences in Piaget's period of concrete operational thought. However, she is now able to empathize with others. She is more adept at classifying and dividing things into sets. Defining lying as bad because she gets punished for it is a Kohlberg characteristic.
Which comment is most developmentally typical of a 7-year-old boy? a. "I am a Power Ranger, so don't make me angry." b. "I don't know whether I like Mary or Joan better." c. "My mom is my favorite person in the world." d. "Jimmy is my best friend."
D School-age children form friendships with peers of the same sex, those who live nearby, and other children who have toys that they enjoy sharing. Magical thinking is developmentally appropriate for the preschooler. Opposite-sex friendships are not typical for the 7-year-old child. Seven-year-old children socialize with their peers, not their parents.
A school nurse is teaching dental health practices to a group of sixth-grade children. How often should the nurse recommend the children brush their teeth? a. Twice a day b. Three times a day c. After meals d. After meals and snacks, and at bedtime
D. After meals and snacks, and at bedtime Teeth should be brushed after meals, after snacks, and at bedtime. Children who brush their teeth frequently and become accustomed to the feel of a clean mouth at an early age usually maintain the habit throughout life. Twice a day, three times a day, or only after meals would not be often enough.
Which behavior is *NOT* normally demonstrated in the 8-year-old child? a. Understands that his or her point of view is not the only one b. Enjoys telling riddles and silly jokes c. Understands that pouring liquid from a small to a large container does not change the amount d. Engages in fantasy and magical thinking
D. Engages in fantasy and magical thinking The preschool child engages in fantasy and magical thinking. The school-age child moves away from this type of thinking and becomes more skeptical and logical. Belief in Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny ends in this period of development. School-age children enter the stage of concrete operations. They learn that their point of view is not the only one. The school-age child has a sense of humor. The child's increased language mastery and increased logic allow for appreciation of plays on words, jokes, and incongruities. The school-age child understands that properties of objects do not change when their order, form, or appearance does.
The father of 12-year-old Ryan tells the nurse that he is concerned about his son getting "fat." Ryan's body mass index for age is at the 60th percentile. The most appropriate nursing action is to: a. Reassure the father that Ryan is not "fat." b. Reassure the father that Ryan is just a growing child. c. Suggest a low-calorie, low-fat diet. d. Explain that this is typical of the growth pattern of boys at this age.
D. Explain that this is typical of the growth pattern of boys at this age. This is a characteristic pattern of growth in preadolescent boys, in which the growth in height has slowed in preparation for the pubertal growth spurt but weight is still gained. This should be reviewed with both the father and Ryan, and a plan should be developed to maintain physical exercise and a balanced diet. Saying that Ryan is not "fat" is false reassurance. His weight is high for his height. Ryan needs to maintain his physical activity. The father is concerned; an explanation is required. A nutritional diet with physical activity should be sufficient to maintain his balance.
What describes the *cognitive abilities* of *school-age children*? a. Have developed the ability to reason abstractly b. Become capable of scientific reasoning and formal logic c. Progress from making judgments based on what they reason to making judgments based on what they see d. Have the ability to classify, group and sort, and hold a concept in their minds while making decisions based on that concept
D. Have the ability to classify, group and sort, and hold a concept in their minds while making decisions based on that concept In Piaget's stage of concrete operations, children have the ability to group and sort and make conceptual decisions. Children cannot reason abstractly until late adolescence. Scientific reasoning and formal logic are skills of adolescents. Making judgments on what the child sees versus what he or she reasons is not a developmental skill.
The *role of the peer group* in the life of school-age children is that it: a. Gives them an opportunity to learn dominance and hostility. b. Allows them to remain dependent on their parents for a longer time. c. Decreases their need to learn appropriate sex roles. d. Provides them with security as they gain independence from their parents.
D. Provides them with security as they gain independence from their parents. Peer-group identification is an important factor in gaining independence from parents. Through peer relationships, children learn ways to deal with dominance and hostility. They also learn how to relate to people in positions of leadership and authority and explore ideas and the physical environment. Peer-group identification helps in gaining independence rather than remaining dependent. A child's concept of appropriate sex roles is influenced by relationships with peers.
The school nurse has been asked to begin teaching sex education in the 5th grade. The nurse should recognize that: a. Children in 5th grade are too young for sex education. b. Children should be discouraged from asking too many questions. c. Correct terminology should be reserved for children who are older. d. Sex can be presented as a normal part of growth and development.
D. Sex can be presented as a normal part of growth and development. When sex information is presented to school-age children, sex should be treated as a normal part of growth and development. Fifth graders are usually 10 to 11 years old. This age is not too young to speak about physiologic changes in their bodies. They should be encouraged to ask questions. Preadolescents need precise and concrete information.
What is a *characteristic of dishonest behavior* in children ages *8-10 years*? a. Cheating during games is now more common. b. Lying results from the inability to distinguish between fact and fantasy. c. They may steal because their sense of property rights is limited. d. They may lie to meet expectations set by others that they have been unable to attain.
D. They may lie to meet expectations set by others that they have been unable to attain. Older school-age children may lie to meet expectations set by others to which they have been unable to measure up. Cheating usually becomes less frequent as the child matures. In this age group, children are able to distinguish between fact and fantasy. Young children may lack a sense of property rights; older children may steal to supplement an inadequate allowance, or it may be an indication of serious problems.
When considering the psychosocial development of a school-aged child, which is the primary developmental task?
Establishing a social network Erikson describes the task of the school-age years as industry versus inferiority. During this period, 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.
The student nurse is preparing a presentation on obesity in children. What information should the student nurse include regarding factors linked to causing obesity? Select all that apply.
Family role modeling Reduced physical education programs Unsafe neighborhoods Lack or reduced amount of recess periods during the school day
An 8-year-old boy is doing well with adding and subtraction. His father asks for suggestions regarding projects that would help increase his understanding of conservation of mass. What project would the nurse suggest?
Form vases from blocks of clay.
The parents of an 11-year-old girl tell the school nurse that their child has a very "slow to warm up" temperament, and that they are concerned with her starting a new school. Which activities should the nurse tell the child's teacher to initially avoid based on this information? Select all that apply.
Having the child introduce herself by standing at the front of the class and telling something interesting about herself Assigning the child a role-play scenario to perform with another student in front of the class Encouraging the child to join the drama club, which is practicing for an upcoming play
The school nurse is assessing the nutritional status of an overweight 12-year-old girl. Which question is appropriate for the nurse to ask?
How often does everyone in your family eat together?
An 8-year-old boy, who says he wants to be a doctor when he grows up, pleads with the nurse to let him put on his own band-aid after receiving an injection. The nurse agrees and watches as the boy very carefully lines the band-aid up with the mark left by the injection and applies it to his skin. Then he asks, "Did I do it right?" and waits eagerly for the nurse's feedback. The nurse recognizes in this situation the boy's attempt to master the primary developmental step of school age. What is that step?
Industry
A mother brings her 8-year-old daughter into the doctor's office because over the past year her tonsils have increased in size to the point that the mother is concerned that there is something wrong. The girl has no other symptoms, however. The nurse knows that this is most likely the cause of the enlarged tonsils:
Normal growth of lymphatic tissue for this age
The nurse is observing a playgroup of children of all ages. The school-age child in the group would most likely be doing which activity?
Painting pictures in the art corner of the room.
A 9-year-old child is feeling conflict from seeing other children in her class engaging in behaviors she senses are not appropriate. When making decisions about what actions are most appropriate, a child of this age will rely most heavily on which party of influence?
Parents
A nurse is caring for a hospitalized 10-year-old. What would be an appropriate activity for this child to meet the developmental tasks of this age group?
Participating in a craft project
A 10-year-old boy is above normal weight for a child his age and height. He tells the nurse he doesn't eat much candy but he loves to eat fruit, pasta, potatoes, and bread. What would the nurse recommend to the boy's caregivers as to ways to help him maintain a healthy weight?
Provide activities for the child that will increase his physical activity.
The nurse is observing a group of 8-year-olds who are being taught the concept of conservation of numbers. Which activity would best help these children understand this concept?
Rearranging a group of coins first into a circle, then a triangle and then a square
The nurse is reviewing the medical record for a 13-year-old child who is being seen for concerns about school attendance. The physician has noted the child has "school phobia". What behaviors may be noted in a child experiencing this phenomena? Select all that apply.
Reports of fear when attending school Demonstrates negative behaviors before school Chronically late for school
The nurse is preparing a care plan for a 7-year-old child on the pediatric unit newly diagnosed with asthma. One of the child's parents is employed as a family practice physician and the other as a lawyer. The child has two older siblings and two younger siblings. Which nursing diagnoses would apply to this situation? Select all that apply.
Risk for caregiver role strain Risk for infection Knowledge deficit regarding disease process Knowledge deficit regarding use of inhaler medication for asthma
The nurse is talking with a school-aged child about her interests. In which interest do most school-aged children place the most focus?
School
The school nurse is reviewing the chart of a 12-year-old student who has had excessive absences due respiratory infections. What is the best action by the nurse?
Speak with the parents about the unusual increased number of respiratory infections
The mother of an 11-year-old child tells the nurse that her child seems to be "hungry all of the time" and seems to "never get full". The nurse suspects a physiological developmental problem. What is the rationale for the nurse suspecting a physiological developmental issue? Select all that apply.
Stomach capacity increases, which should permit retention of food for longer periods of time The caloric needs of the school-age child are lower than in the earlier years of life
The school nurse is working with a group of 6- to 8-year-old children. Which responsibility would the school nurse most likely have for this age child?
Testing the children's vision and hearing
The nurse is assessing the moral developmental level of children being seen in the clinic according to the Kohlberg's conventional stage of moral development. Which children does the nurse determine have met this stage of development? Select all that apply.
The 8-year-old child who frequently asks the teacher if he is doing his math correctly The 10-year-old child who visits his elderly neighbor three times per week The 9-year-old child who tells his friends that they shouldn't throw rocks because they will "get in trouble" The 7-year-old child who yells at his mother, "I don't understand why I can't go to the park!" The 10-year-old who states, "I sure wouldn't want to be my friend taking that bad report card home."
The father of an 11-year-old boy is worried that the child spends too much time watching TV. What information should the nurse share with this father? Select all that apply.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 2 hours or less of TV daily. Establish guidelines on when a child can watch TV. Watch programs together and discuss subject matter with the child.
The nurse has taken a health history and performed a physical exam for a 12-year-old boy. Which finding is the most likely?
The child has a leaner body mass than a girl at this age.
Which behavior involving a 11-year-old child warrants further education to the family? Select all that apply.
The child is allowed to sit in the front seat of the car. The child wears a lap belt when riding in the car. The child uses a backpack to carry books when riding their back to and from school. When riding in the car children under the age of 12 should ride in the back seat and not the front seat. Safety belts consisting of a lap and shoulder harness should be employed. Front bike baskets should be used to carry heavy objects. Using a backpack can cause balance issues leading to a fall and should be avoided. page 163
The nurse is assessing the psychosocial development of a 10-year-old child. What observations would lead the nurse to determine that the child is not achieving the developmental task of Erikson's industry versus inferiority? Select all that apply.
The child tries out for various teams at school but does not make any of them The child is an average soccer player and the parents enforce 1 to 2 hours of practice per day
Which statement best describes Erikson's psychosocial development task for the school-age child?
The child wants to successfully complete activities.
The school nurse is monitoring children as they arrive at school riding their bicycles. Which children should the nurse speak with about their riding habits? Select all that apply.
The child who is wearing flip flops when riding the bicycle to school The child who is wearing a book bag hanging off one shoulder The child who wears a stocking cap under the helmet during cold weather
The parents of a 12-year-old girl report their daughter is missing an increasing amount of school. They further share that the child says she feels ill and begs to stay home. What action by the parents will be most therapeutic?
The parents need to attempt to determine why the child is avoiding school.
A mother tells you her 6-year-old has been biting his fingernails since he began first grade. After analyzing the cause of this as increased stress, the advice you would give his mother regarding this problem would be to:
allow some time every day for the child to talk about new experiences. Beginning school can be a time of extreme stress for children. Allowing them time to discuss these experiences helps them to put experiences in perspective and begin to deal with them. page 159
The school-age child develops the ability to recognize that if a block of clay is in a round ball and then is flattened, the shape changes but not the amount of clay. This child has developed an understanding of:
conservation.
The developmental task of the school-aged period, according to Erikson, is gaining a sense of:
industry versus inferiority. Industry is learning how to do things well, the school-aged developmental task. page 155
A school-aged child develops school phobia. When counseling her mother, the nurse would advise her that the accepted action is to:
make her child attend school every day. School phobia may result from both a parent not wanting a child to attend school and a child not wanting to leave a parent. Helping them work together while keeping the child in school to resolve the issue is helpful. page 172
During a well-child check at the ambulatory clinic, the mother of a 10-year-old boy reports concerns about her son's frequent discussions about death and dying. Based upon knowledge of this age group, the nurse understands that:
preoccupation with death and dying is common in the school-aged child. School-aged children are often preoccupied with thoughts of death and dying. There is no indication these thoughts will lead to mental health issues or the development of depression. School-aged children fear death but are fascinated by death and dying. page 159
A 7-year-old has taken money from his brother's dresser on two occasions. When counseling his mother about this, you would advise her that:
she may need to remind him of property rights. As children begin to be aware of the importance of money, they may fail to realize that property rights regarding money need to be respected. Page 172
