Developmental Stages and Transitions Practice Test 1
Developmental Stages and Transitions NCLEX Practice Test
Developmental Stages and Transitions is a key topic within the NCLEX test plan, located under Health Promotion and Maintenance → Growth and Development → Developmental Stages and Transitions. This section connects growth milestones to screening, teaching, and age-appropriate nursing care. Each test contains 50 questions designed to mirror the difficulty and variety of the real exam.
This is the 1st part of the Developmental Stages and Transitions series. To explore all practice tests under this topic, use the “Back to Main Topic” button at the end of the page.
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In the Developmental Stages and Transitions Study Cards section, shared by real NCLEX candidates, you’ll find concise summaries and high-yield insights related to the most tested concepts. It’s a perfect space to reinforce challenging topics and sharpen your recall through quick, focused repetitions. Short, powerful, and repeatable!
Developmental Stages and Transitions Practice Test 1
Which of the following is the psychosocial development during the school-age period?
- Trust vs. Mistrust
- Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
- Initiative vs. guilt
- Industry vs. Inferiority
Explanation: Answer reason: Erikson identifies school-age as the “Industry vs. Inferiority” stage, where children develop competence and productivity.
Which term describes the play activity of the preschool-aged child?
- Cooperative
- Associative
- Parallel
- Solitary
Explanation: Answer reason: Preschoolers typically engage in associative play—interacting and sharing materials without organized goals or rules. Parallel play is typical of toddlers; cooperative play with rules is common in school-age children; solitary play is characteristic of infants.
The parents of a 7-year-old tell the nurse their child has started to "tattle" on siblings. In interpreting this new behavior to the mother, the nurse should explain the child acts this way because?
- The ethical sense and feelings of justice are developing.
- Attempts to control the family employ new coping styles
- Insecurity and attention-getting are common motives.
- Complex thought processes help resolve conflicts.
Explanation: Answer reason: At about age seven, school-age children develop a strong sense of rules, fairness, and doing what is right; tattling reflects emerging moral judgment and a justice orientation.
Moro's reflex disappears at?
- 5 months
- 3 months
- 7 months
- 6 months
Explanation: Answer reason: The Moro (startle) reflex is a primitive newborn reflex that typically integrates by about 5–6 months of age. Among the options, 6 months is the most accurate.
During an initial interview at an outpatient clinic, a 34-year-old single mother tells the nurse that she has always had difficulty forming relationships and is worried that her 7-year-old daughter will have the same problem. Which of the following statements, if made by the nurse, is best?
- Children develop trust from birth to 18 months of age.
- Children develop trust between 18 months and three years of age.
- Children develop trust between three and six years of age.
- Children develop trust between six and twelve years of age.
Explanation: Answer reason: According to Erikson, the stage of trust versus mistrust occurs during infancy (birth to about 18 months). Establishing basic trust during this period supports later relationship formation; later stages (toddler, preschool, and school-age) focus on autonomy, initiative, and industry.
At what age does the birth weight of the baby double?
- 3 months
- 6 months
- 9 months
- 12 months
Explanation: Answer reason: Infants typically double their birth weight by about 5–6 months and triple it by 12 months. Therefore, 6 months is correct.
The nurse is assessing an eight-month-old child. The nurse would anticipate that the child would be able to?
- Say two words.
- Pull up to stand.
- Sit without support.
- Use a spoon
Explanation: Answer reason: At about 8 months, infants typically achieve the motor milestone of sitting without support. Saying two words emerges around 12 months, pulling to stand occurs around 9–10 months, and using a spoon occurs closer to 15–18 months.
Which assessment is most important to gather for a two-year-old child with delayed motor development and frequent crying episodes?
- Family medical history
- Dietary intake
- Social and family dynamics
- Recent travel history
Explanation: Answer reason: Motor delay with frequent crying raises concern for neurologic or genetic conditions. Obtaining a family medical history is the highest priority assessment to identify hereditary disorders and guide further evaluation. Dietary intake, social dynamics, and travel are less directly linked to motor delay.
The school nurse teaches a class on childcare at the local high school. During the class, one of the participants asks the nurse at what age it is best to start toilet training a child. Which of the following is the best response by the nurse?
- 11 months old.
- 14 months old.
- 17 months old.
- 20 months old.
Explanation: Answer reason: Physiological readiness for toilet training typically develops after 18 months; many children are ready between 18 and 24 months. Among the choices, 20 months best reflects the earliest appropriate age.
A mother brings her child to the clinic complaining that the child seems to be teething. Which of the following would the nurse expect to find on the initial history and physical assessment?
- Increased temperature and lethargy.
- Rash and restlessness
- Increased sleep and listlessness
- Diarrhea and poor skin turgor.
Explanation: Answer reason: Teething commonly presents with irritability or restlessness, drooling that can cause a localized rash, and gum discomfort. High fever, lethargy, diarrhea, and dehydration are not expected findings and suggest an illness rather than normal teething.
While assessing the growth of children during their school-age years, the nurse would expect to see?
- Decreasing amounts of body fat and muscle mass
- Little change in body appearance from year to year.
- Progressive height increase of 4 inches per year
- A yearly weight gain of about 5.5 pounds.
Explanation: Answer reason: School-age children typically gain about 2–3 kg (approximately 4.4–6.6 lb) and grow about 2 inches per year; thus a yearly weight gain of around 5.5 lb is expected. The other choices are inconsistent with normal school-age growth patterns.
A fifteen-year-old client with a lengthy, confining illness is at risk for altered growth and development related to?
- Loss of control
- Insecurity
- Dependence
- Lack of trust.
Explanation: Answer reason: Adolescents strive for independence; prolonged illness and the patient role increase dependency, which disrupts normal developmental tasks and can lead to rejection or uncooperativeness.
How much does head circumference increase from birth to 3 months?
- 1 cm per month
- 2 cm per month
- 0.5 cm per month
- 1.5 cm per month
Explanation: Answer reason: During the first 3 months of life, head circumference increases rapidly at about 2 cm per month, then slows.
What is the approximate age of puberty in females?
- 13 years
- 16 years
- 25 years
- 7 years
Explanation: Answer reason: Female puberty typically begins in early adolescence, with menarche occurring around 12–13 years; 13 years is the best approximate age among the options.
The onset of puberty before the age of 8 years in girls is called ________?
- Thelarche
- Menarche
- Delayed puberty
- Precocious puberty
Explanation: Answer reason: Puberty occurring before the age of 8 in girls is defined as precocious puberty. Thelarche is breast development, menarche is the first menstruation, and delayed puberty is the opposite.
When assigned to a pediatric ward, what is a characteristic sign of normal psychosocial development in a toddler?
- Erikson’s stage of initiative vs. guilt
- Imaginary playmates
- Negative behavior
- Demonstration of sexual curiosity.
Explanation: Answer reason: Toddlers assert autonomy and commonly display negativism and temper tantrums. Initiative versus guilt, imaginary playmates, and marked sexual curiosity are typical of the preschool stage.
A one-year-old child is admitted. Looking at the child's physical development, what may be affected or delayed?
- Walking
- Sitting
- Running
- Crawling
Explanation: Answer reason: At about 12 months, children begin to take independent steps; hospitalization can delay this gross-motor milestone. Sitting and crawling are typically achieved earlier, and running occurs later.
What is the age range for preschool children?
- Birth to 3 years
- 1 to 3 years
- 2 to 6 years
- 3 to 5 years
Explanation: Answer reason: Preschool age is classically defined as 3–5 years; 2–6 includes toddlers and early school-age.
At what age does the Moro reflex typically disappear?
- 6 months
- 4 months
- 3 months
- 8 months
Explanation: Answer reason: The Moro (startle) reflex normally disappears around 4 months of age; persistence beyond this can indicate neurologic issues.
Ossification of anterior fontanelles is completed at ............?
- 3 months
- 6 months
- 12 months
- 18 months
Explanation: Answer reason: The anterior fontanel typically closes by 18 months of age (range ~9–18 months), making 18 months the best answer.
The newborn baby is known as?
- Infant
- Neonatal
- Baby
- Fetus
- Embryo
Explanation: Answer reason: A newborn from birth to 28 days is termed a neonate; hence the best choice is 'Neonatal'. 'Infant' generally refers to 1 month to 1 year, while fetus and embryo are prenatal stages.
A mother asks her two-year-old child, "Do you want to eat now?" The child responds, "No." Which of the following behavioural characteristics does the child exhibit?
- Egocentrism
- Negativism
- Egomania
- Ritualism
Explanation: Answer reason: Toddlers commonly assert autonomy by saying “No” to requests; this oppositional behavior is characteristic negativism. Other options do not describe this typical toddler response.
Toilet training should be started for a baby at the age of?
- Infant
- Toddler
- Preschool
- School-age
Explanation: Answer reason: Toilet training typically begins in toddlerhood when voluntary sphincter control and readiness signs appear, around 18–24 months.
A child draws a circle at?
- 12 months
- 24 months
- 30 months
- 36 months
Explanation: Answer reason: Copying/drawing a circle is a fine motor developmental milestone typically achieved at about 3 years (36 months).
Best indicator of growth monitoring in children?
- Weight
- Mid-arm circumference
- Rate of increase in height and weight
- Head circumference
Explanation: Answer reason: Serial weight plotted on growth charts is the most sensitive and practical indicator for monitoring a child’s growth; MUAC and head circumference are limited to specific ages, and height changes too slowly for short-term monitoring.
Appropriate time for toilet training in children?
- 0-1 year
- 6 months
- 3-6 year
- 1-3 year
Explanation: Answer reason: Voluntary bowel and bladder control typically develops during the toddler years, around 18–36 months; earlier ages lack sphincter control. Thus 1–3 years is the appropriate period for toilet training.
Who was the founder of psychosexual theory?
- Jean piaget
- Kohlberg
- Sigmund freud
- Erik erikson
Explanation: Answer reason: Freud proposed the psychosexual stages of development; Piaget is cognitive, Kohlberg is moral, and Erikson is psychosocial.
Year-old sudeep has recurring nephrotic syndrome; which of the following areas of potential disturbances should be a prime consideration when planning ongoing nursing care?
- Body image.
- Sexual maturation.
- Muscle coordination.
- Intellectual development.
Explanation: Answer reason: At age 12, concerns with appearance are central. Nephrotic syndrome and steroid therapy cause edema and Cushingoid changes, making disturbed body image the primary psychosocial issue to address.
A child can withhold and postpone his bowel movement at age of?
- 1 year
- 2 years
- 3 years
- 4 years
Explanation: Answer reason: Voluntary control of the anal sphincter and the ability to delay defecation typically develop by about 3 years of age.
A nurse is assessing a newborn. Which reflex would the nurse expect to disappear first?
- Palmar grasp reflex
- Babinski reflex
- Rooting reflex
- Moro reflex
Explanation: Answer reason: The rooting reflex typically disappears by about 3–4 months, earlier than the Moro (4–6 months), palmar grasp (5–6 months), and Babinski (up to 12–24 months).
In pediatric health nursing, which of the following is a primary focus in caring for children?
- Promoting age-appropriate growth and development
- Managing chronic illnesses and disabilities
- Administering medications and treatments accurately
- Educating parents on child safety practices
Explanation: Answer reason: Pediatric nursing emphasizes health promotion and facilitating normal growth and development; the other options are important tasks but not the primary overarching focus.
A 4-year-old child is in preschool. The teacher reports that the child cannot play with peers and prefers to be alone. What should the nurse suspect?
- Shyness
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Normal social development
- Speech delay
Explanation: Answer reason: By age 4, children typically engage in cooperative play. Persistent avoidance of peers and preference for being alone suggests deficits in social interaction characteristic of autism spectrum disorder.
According to Erikson's stages, which stage is a 67-year-old client who has just retired from the only job he has ever had likely experiencing?
- Intimacy versus isolation
- Ego integrity versus despair
- Identity versus role confusion
- Generativity versus stagnation
Explanation: Answer reason: Erikson’s stage for older adulthood (65+) is ego integrity versus despair, often triggered by life review and retirement. The other stages correspond to adolescence (identity), young adulthood (intimacy), and middle adulthood (generativity).
Which behavior indicates that an 18-month-old infant is developing a nonadaptive reaction to hospitalization?
- Cries when the mother leaves
- Ignores mother when she arrives to visit
- Eats using fingers rather than utensils
- Is afraid of the dark
Explanation: Answer reason: Ignoring the parent after separation indicates the detachment/denial phase of separation anxiety, a maladaptive response to hospitalization in toddlers. Crying when the mother leaves is an expected protest response; eating with fingers is age-appropriate; fear of the dark is more typical of preschoolers.
Which action should the nurse recommend to provide a 12-month-old infant with nutrients for growth?
- Exclude milk from the infant’s diet until he/she begins to like other foods.
- Offer the infant small amounts of meat and vegetables before offering milk.
- Withhold desserts until the infant has eaten his/her vegetables.
- Mix strained meat and vegetables into the milk given to the infant.
Explanation: Answer reason: At 12 months, infants should transition to solid foods that provide iron and other nutrients. Offering meat and vegetables before milk prevents milk from satiating the child and promotes adequate intake of nutrient-dense foods. The other choices either restrict needed milk or use ineffective/undesirable feeding practices.
Occurrence of the Oedipus complex is commonly seen in which age and gender group?
- Girls between 1-3 years of age
- Girls between 3-5 years of age
- Boys between 1-3 years of age
- Boys between 3-5 years of age
Explanation: Answer reason: The Oedipus complex is part of Freud’s phallic stage, typically occurring in boys around ages 3–6; the closest option is boys 3–5 years.
What would the nurse expect to see while assessing the growth of children during their school age years?
- Decreasing amounts of body fat and muscle mass
- Little change in body appearance from year to year
- Progressive height increase of 4 inches each year
- Yearly weight gain of about 5.5 pounds per year
Explanation: Answer reason: School-age children typically gain about 2–3 kg (4.4–6.6 lb) per year and grow ~2 inches per year. Muscle mass increases and body becomes leaner, not with decreased muscle mass, making option D the best match.
At what age child weight is tripled?
- Six months
- Ten months
- First year
- Two years
Explanation: Answer reason: Normal growth milestone: birth weight doubles by about 5–6 months and triples by 12 months (end of the first year).
First teeth of baby comes out at the age of?
- 3 months
- 4 months
- 6 months
- 5 months
Explanation: Answer reason: The first primary teeth (usually lower central incisors) typically erupt around 6 months of age.
Which behavior reported by the mother of a 6-month-old baby is concerning to the nurse during a routine well-baby check?
- Looks at self in a mirror
- Brings things to mouth
- Does not laugh or make squealing sounds
- Begins to sit without support
Explanation: Answer reason: By 4–6 months infants should laugh and squeal; absence at 6 months is a developmental red flag and may indicate delay or hearing issues. The other behaviors are expected for this age.
What is the appropriate Babinski reflex response in a 3-month-old infant?
- The big toe plantar flexes and the other toes curl downward.
- All the toes curl downward.
- The big toe dorsiflexes and the other toes spread outward.
- The big toe plantar flexes and the other toes fan outward.
Explanation: Answer reason: In infants up to about 12 months, a normal Babinski response is dorsiflexion of the great toe with fanning of the other toes.
What is the name of the reflex observed when a 2-month-old infant is held upright with legs and feet touching a surface and appears to be walking?
- Bauer Crawling Reflex
- Push-to-Walk Reflex
- Babinski Reflex
- Step Reflex
Explanation: Answer reason: The stepping reflex is seen when a young infant held upright with feet touching a surface makes alternating stepping motions, as if walking. Babinski involves toe fanning; Bauer crawling is prone-triggered; Push-to-Walk is not a standard neonatal reflex.
Which group of mentally retarded children is referred to as 'educable'?
- Mild MR (IQ 50-70)
- Moderate MR (IQ 35-49)
- Severe MR (IQ 20-34)
- Profound MR (IQ below 20)
Explanation: Answer reason: Children with mild intellectual disability (IQ 50–70) are often called "educable" because they can acquire academic and social skills up to approximately a 6th-grade level with proper support and structured education. They can generally live independently or semi-independently as adults.
The nurse is caring for a client who is two years old; according to Erikson's stages of psychosocial development, which stage is the client in?
- Initiative vs. Guilt
- Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
- Industry vs. Inferiority
- Trust vs. Mistrust
Explanation: Answer reason: Toddlers aged 1–3 years are in Erikson's Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt stage, fitting a two-year-old.
Which factor does not directly affect the growth and development of a child?
- Phenotype of parents
- Sex of child
- Chromosomal abnormalities
- Business of father
Explanation: Answer reason: Genetic factors (parental traits/phenotype), sex, and chromosomal abnormalities directly influence a child’s growth and development. The father’s occupation is not a direct biological determinant, though it may indirectly affect environment or socioeconomic status.
Development of human being is influenced by which factors?
- Parents and teachers
- Psychosocial and cultural factors
- Parents and relatives
- Heredity and environment
Explanation: Answer reason: Human development is shaped by both genetic factors (heredity) and external conditions and experiences (environment). This choice captures the comprehensive nature–nurture determinants better than the partial alternatives.
At what age can a child typically copy a circle?
- 1.5 years
- 2 years
- 3 years
- 4 years
Explanation: Answer reason: Copying a circle is a fine-motor developmental milestone typically achieved around 3 years of age; younger children usually only imitate simpler strokes.
At a routine clinic visit, parents express concern that their four year-old is wetting the bed several times a month. What is the nurse's BEST response?
- This is normal at this time.
- How long has this been occurring?
- Do you offer fluids at night?
- Have you tried waking her to urinate?
Explanation: Answer reason: At age 4, nighttime continence is developing and problems may indicate primary vs secondary enuresis or other causes. The priority is further assessment, beginning with duration, rather than reassurance or interventions. Hence, ask how long it has been occurring.
When does the sucking reflex in an infant disappear and become voluntary?
- 6 months
- 2 months
- 4 months
- 12 months
Explanation: Answer reason: The primitive sucking reflex integrates around 2 months of age, after which feeding becomes a voluntary action.
What are appropriate toys for an 18-month-old infant to have for play while in isolation?
- Rattles
- Stacking rings
- Crayons and coloring book
- Soap bubbles
Explanation: Answer reason: At 18 months (toddler), appropriate play involves simple manipulative toys like stacking rings, which are also easy to clean for isolation. Rattles are for younger infants; crayons/coloring books require more advanced fine-motor skills and are harder to disinfect; soap bubbles pose ingestion risk and are less suitable.
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