Sem 3 Unit 6 - Development (AUTISM/ADHD) - TB

18. Which activity is most appropriate for developing fine motor skills in the school-age child? a. Drawing b. Singing c. Soccer d. Swimming

ANS: A 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.

16.The child prescribed an antipsychotic medication to manage violent behavior is one most likely diagnosed with a. ADHD. b. posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). c. communication disorder. d. an anxiety disorder.

ANS: A Antipsychotic medication is useful for managing aggressive or violent behavior in some children diagnosed with ADHD. If medication were prescribed for a child with an anxiety disorder, it would be a benzodiazepine. Medications are generally not needed for children with communication disorder. Treatment of PTSD is more often associated with SSRI medications.

17. 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

ANS: A 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.

10.A child diagnosed with ADHD will begin medication therapy. The nurse should prepare a plan to teach the family about which classification of medications? a. CNS stimulants c. Antipsychotics b. Tricyclic antidepressants d. Anxiolytics

ANS: A CNS stimulants, such as methylphenidate and pemoline (Cylert), increase blood flow to the brain and have proved helpful in reducing hyperactivity in children and adolescents with ADHD. The other medication categories listed would not be appropriate.

1.Which nursing diagnosis is universally applicable for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders? a. Impaired social interaction related to difficulty maintaining relationships b. Chronic low self-esteem related to excessive negative feedback c. Deficient fluid volume related to abnormal eating habits d. Anxiety related to nightmares and repetitive activities

ANS: A Children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders display profoundly disturbed social relatedness. They seem aloof and indifferent to others, often preferring inanimate objects to human interaction. Language is often delayed and deviant, further complicating relationship issues. The other nursing diagnoses might not be appropriate in all cases.

35.A child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is admitted to the hospital with pneumonia. The nurse should plan which priority intervention when caring for the child? a. Maintain a structured routine and keep stimulation to a minimum. b. Place the child in a room with a roommate of the same age. c. Maintain frequent touch and eye contact with the child. d. Take the child frequently to the playroom to play with other children.

ANS: A Providing a structured routine for the child to follow is key in the management of ASD. Decreasing stimulation by using a private room, avoiding extraneous auditory and visual distractions, and encouraging the parents to bring in possessions the child is attached to may lessen the disruptiveness of hospitalization. Because physical contact often upsets these children, minimum holding and eye contact may be necessary to avoid behavioral outbursts. Children with ASD need to be introduced slowly to new situations, with visits with staff caregivers kept short whenever possible. The playroom would be too overwhelming with new people and situations and should not be a priority of care.

11. A 9 year old often comes to the school nurse complaining of stomach pains. The teacher says that the child has lately been somewhat aggressive and stubborn in the classroom. What should the school nurse recognize as the possible trigger for these behaviors? a. Signs of stress b. Developmental delay c. A physical problem causing emotional stress d. Lack of adjustment to the school environment

ANS: A 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.

1. The nurse manager of a pediatric clinic could confirm that the new nurse recognized the purpose of the HEADSS Adolescent Risk Profile when the new nurse responds that it is used to assess for needs related to a. anticipatory guidance. b. low-risk adolescents. c. physical development. d. sexual development.

ANS: A The HEADSS Adolescent Risk Profile is a psychosocial assessment screening tool which assesses home, education, activities, drugs, sex, and suicide for the purpose of identifying high-risk adolescents and the need for anticipatory guidance. It is used to identify high-risk, not low-risk, adolescents. Physical development is assessed with anthropometric data. Sexual development is assessed using physical examination.

2. 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.

ANS: A, B, C 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.

1. 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.

ANS: A, B, C 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.

7. A mother complains to the nurse at the pediatric clinic that her 4-year-old child always talks to her toys and makes up stories. The mother wants her child to have a psychological evaluation. The nurse's best initial response is to a. refer the child to a psychologist immediately. b. explain that playing make believe is normal at this age. c. complete a developmental screening using a validated tool. d. separate the child from the mother to get more information.

ANS: B By the end of the fourth year, it is expected that a child will engage in fantasy, so this is normal at this age. A referral to a psychologist would be premature based only on the complaint of the mother. Completing a developmental screening would be very appropriate but not the initial response. The nurse would certainly want to get more information, but separating the child from the mother is not necessary at this time.

25.A child with autism is hospitalized with asthma. The nurse should plan care so that the: a. parents' expectations are met. b. child's routine habits and preferences are maintained. c. child is supported through the autistic crisis. d. parents need not be at the hospital.

ANS: B Children with autism are often unable to tolerate even slight changes in routine. The child's routine habits and preferences are important to maintain. Focus of care is on the child's needs rather than on the parent's desires. Autism is a lifelong condition. The presence of the parents is almost always required when an autistic child is hospitalized.

1. Which statement accurately describes physical development of a child during the school-age years? a. The child's weight almost triples. b. A child grows an average of 2 inches/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.

ANS: B 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/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.

25. Parents of a 12-year-old child ask the clinic nurse, "How many hours of sleep should our child get each night?" The nurse should respond that 12-year-old children need ____ hours of sleep at night. a. 8 b. 9 c. 10 d. 11

ANS: B 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.

22. 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

ANS: B 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.

23.A nurse is providing a parent information regarding autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Which statement made by the parent indicates understanding of the teaching? a. "Autism is characterized by periods of remission and exacerbation." b. "The onset of autism usually occurs before toddler stage." c. "Children with autism have imitation and gesturing skills." d. "Autism can be treated effectively with medication."

ANS: B The onset of ASD is now frequently diagnosed in toddlers because of their atypical development is being recognized early. Autism does not have periods of remission and exacerbation. Autistic children lack imitative skills. Medications are of limited use in children with autism.

21. 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

ANS: B 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.

4. A nurse teaches parents that team play is important for school-age children. Which abilities 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.

ANS: B, C, D 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.

1.A nurse prepares to lead a discussion at a community health center regarding children's health problems. The nurse wants to use current terminology when discussing these issues. Which terms are appropriate for the nurse to use? (Select all that apply.) a. Autism b. Bullying c. Mental retardation d. Autism spectrum disorder e. Intellectual development disorder

ANS: B, D, E Some dated terminology contributes to the stigma of mental illness and misconceptions about mental illness. It is important for the nurse to use current terminology.

3.A kindergartener is disruptive in class. This child is unable to sit for expected lengths of time, inattentive to the teacher, screams while the teacher is talking, and is aggressive toward other children. The nurse plans interventions designed to a. promote integration of self-concept. b. provide inpatient treatment for the child. c. reduce loneliness and increase self-esteem. d. improve language and communication skills.

ANS: C Because of their disruptive behaviors, children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often receive negative feedback from parents, teachers, and peers, leading to self-esteem disturbance. These behaviors also cause peers to avoid the child with ADHD, leaving the child with ADHD vulnerable to loneliness. The child does not need inpatient treatment at this time. The incorrect options might or might not be relevant.

4.A nurse will prepare teaching materials for the parents of a child newly diagnosed with ADHD. Information will focus on which medication likely to be prescribed? a. Paroxetine b. Imipramine c. Methylphenidate d. Carbamazepine

ANS: C Central nervous system (CNS) stimulants are the drugs of choice for treating children diagnosed with ADHD. Methylphenidate and mixed amphetamine salts are most commonly used. None of the other drugs are psychostimulants used to treat ADHD.

4. 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.

ANS: C 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.

24.What should the nurse keep in mind when planning to communicate with a child who is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD)? a. The child has normal verbal communication. b. The child is expected to use sign language. c. The child may exhibit monotone speech and echolalia. d. The child is not listening if he/she is not looking at the nurse.

ANS: C Children with autism have abnormalities in the production of speech, such as a monotone voice or echolalia, or inappropriate volume, pitch, rate, rhythm, or intonation. The child has impaired verbal communication and abnormalities in the production of speech. Some autistic children may use sign language, but it is not assumed. Children with autism often are reluctant to initiate direct eye contact.

6. To plan early intervention and care for a child with a developmental delay, the nurse would consider knowledge of the concepts most significantly impacted by development, including a. culture. b. environment. c. functional status. d. nutrition.

ANS: C Function is one of the concepts most significantly impacted by development. Others include sensory-perceptual, cognition, mobility, reproduction, and sexuality. Knowledge of these concepts can help the nurse anticipate areas that need to be addressed. Culture is a concept that is considered to significantly affect development; the difference is the concepts that affect development are those that represent major influencing factors (causes), hence determination of development and would be the focus of preventive interventions. Environment is considered to significantly affect development. Nutrition is considered to significantly affect development.

2.Which behavior indicates that the treatment plan for a child diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder was effective? The child a. plays with one toy for 30 minutes. b. repeats words spoken by a parent. c. holds the parent's hand while walking. d. spins around and claps hands while walking.

ANS: C Holding the hand of another person suggests relatedness. Usually, a child diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder would resist holding someone's hand and stand or walk alone, perhaps flapping arms or moving in a stereotyped pattern. The incorrect options reflect behaviors that are consistent with autism spectrum disorders.

26. 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

ANS: C 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.

6.A desired outcome for a 12-year-old diagnosed with ADHD is to improve relationships with other children. Which treatment modality should the nurse suggest for the plan of care? a. Reality therapy b. Simple restitution c. Social skills group d. Insight-oriented group therapy

ANS: C Social skills training teaches the child to recognize the impact of his or her behavior on others. It uses instruction, role playing, and positive reinforcement to enhance social outcomes. The other therapies would have lesser or no impact on peer relationships.

20. 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.

ANS: C 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.

4. The most appropriate response of the nurse when a mother asks what the Denver II does is that it a. can diagnose developmental disabilities. b. identifies a need for physical therapy. c. is a developmental screening tool. d. provides a framework for health teaching.

ANS: C The Denver II is the most commonly used measure of developmental status used by health care professionals; it is a screening tool. Screening tools do not provide a diagnosis. Diagnosis requires a thorough neurodevelopment history and physical examination. Developmental delay, which is suggested by screening, is a symptom, not a diagnosis. The need for any therapy would be identified with a comprehensive evaluation, not a screening tool. Some providers use the Denver II as a framework for teaching about expected development, but this is not the primary purpose of the tool.

19.A child diagnosed with ADHD shows hyperactivity, aggression, and impaired play. The health care provider prescribed amphetamine salts (Adderall). The nurse should monitor for which desired behavior? a. Increased expressiveness in communication with others b. Abilities to identify anxiety and implement self-control strategies c. Improved abilities to participate in cooperative play with other children d. Tolerates social interactions for short periods without disruption or frustration

ANS: C The goal is improvement in the child's hyperactivity, aggression, and play. The remaining options are more relevant for a child with intellectual development disorder or an anxiety disorder.

5.What is the nurse's priority focused assessment for side effects in a child taking methylphenidate for ADHD? a. Dystonia, akinesia, and extrapyramidal symptoms b. Bradycardia and hypotensive episodes c. Sleep disturbances and weight loss d. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome

ANS: C The most common side effects are gastrointestinal disturbances, reduced appetite, weight loss, urinary retention, dizziness, fatigue, and insomnia. Weight loss has the potential to interfere with the child's growth and development. The distracters relate to side effects of conventional antipsychotic medications.

18.Assessment data for a 7-year-old reveals an inability to take turns, blurting out answers to questions before a question is complete, and frequently interrupting others' conversations. How should the nurse document these behaviors? a. Disobedience b. Hyperactivity c. Impulsivity d. Anxiety

ANS: C These behaviors are most directly related to impulsivity. Hyperactive behaviors are more physical in nature, such as running, pushing, and the inability to sit. Inattention is demonstrated by failure to listen. Defiance is demonstrated by willfully doing what an authority figure has said not to do.

23.When a 5-year-old is disruptive, the nurse says, "You must take a time-out." The expectation is that the child will a. go to a quiet room until called for the next activity. b. slowly count to 20 before returning to the group activity. c. sit on the edge of the activity until able to regain self-control. d. sit quietly on the lap of a staff member until able to apologize for the behavior.

ANS: C Time-out is designed so that staff can be consistent in their interventions. Time-out may require going to a designated room or sitting on the periphery of an activity until the child gains self-control and reviews the episode with a staff member. Time-out may not require going to a designated room and does not involve special attention such as holding. Counting to 10 or 20 is not sufficient.

13.A nurse assesses a 3-year-old diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. Which finding is most associated with the child's disorder? The child a. has occasional toileting accidents. b. interrupts or intrudes on others. c. cries when separated from a parent. d. continuously rocks in place for 30 minutes.

ANS: D Autism spectrum disorder involves distortions in development of social skills and language that include perception, motor movement, attention, and reality testing. Body rocking for extended periods suggests autism spectrum disorder. Occasional toileting accidents and crying when separated from a parents are expected findings for a 3-year-old. Interrupting or intruding on others are assessment findings associated with ADHD.

7.The parent of a 6-year-old says, "My child is in constant motion and talks all the time. My child isn't interested in toys but is out of bed every morning before me." The child's behavior is most consistent with diagnostic criteria for a. communication disorder. b. stereotypic movement disorder. c. intellectual development disorder. d. ADHD.

ANS: D Excessive motion, distractibility, and excessive talkativeness are seen in ADHD. The behaviors presented in the scenario do not suggest intellectual development, stereotypic, or communication disorder.

5. To plan early intervention and care for an infant with Down syndrome, the nurse considers knowledge of other physical development exemplars such as a. cerebral palsy. b. autism. c. attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). d. failure to thrive.

ANS: D Failure to thrive is also a physical development exemplar. Cerebral palsy is an exemplar of motor/developmental delay. Autism is an exemplar of social/emotional developmental delay. ADHD is an exemplar of a cognitive disorder.

3. The school nurse talking with a high school class about the difference between growth and development would best describe growth as a. processes by which early cells specialize. b. psychosocial and cognitive changes. c. qualitative changes associated with aging. d. quantitative changes in size or weight.

ANS: D Growth is a quantitative change in which an increase in cell number and size results in an increase in overall size or weight of the body or any of its parts. The processes by which early cells specialize are referred to as differentiation. Psychosocial and cognitive changes are referred to as development. Qualitative changes associated with aging are referred to as maturation.

3. Which statement 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

ANS: D 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.

7. What is the role of the peer group in the life of school-age children? 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.

ANS: D 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.

19. 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."

ANS: 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.

21.Which child demonstrates behaviors indicative of a neurodevelopmental disorder? a. A 4-year-old who stuttered for 3 weeks after the birth of a sibling b. A 9-month-old who does not eat vegetables and likes to be rocked c. A 3-month-old who cries after feeding until burped and sucks a thumb d. A 3-year-old who is mute, passive toward adults, and twirls while walking

ANS: D Symptoms consistent with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) are evident in the correct answer. ASD is one type of neurodevelopmental disorder. The behaviors of the other children are within normal ranges.

8.A child diagnosed with ADHD had this nursing diagnosis: impaired social interaction related to excessive neuronal activity as evidenced by aggression and demanding behavior with others. Which finding indicates the plan of care was effective? The child a. has an improved ability to identify anxiety and use self-control strategies. b. has increased expressiveness in communication with others. c. shows increased responsiveness to authority figures. d. engages in cooperative play with other children.

ANS: D The goal should be directly related to the defining characteristics of the nursing diagnosis, in this case, improvement in the child's aggressiveness and play. The distracters are more relevant for a child with autism spectrum or anxiety disorder.

9.When a 5-year-old diagnosed with ADHD bounces out of a chair and runs over and slaps another child, what is the nurse's best action? a. Instruct the parents to take the aggressive child home. b. Direct the aggressive child to stop immediately. c. Call for emergency assistance from other staff. d. Take the aggressive child to another room.

ANS: D The nurse should manage the milieu with structure and limit setting. Removing the aggressive child to another room is an appropriate consequence for the aggressiveness. Directing the child to stop will not be effective. This is not an emergency. Intervention is needed rather than sending the child home.