All Free Paediatric Nursing MCQs with Answers

• A. Head circumference is greater than chest circumference
• B. Head circumference is approximately equal to chest circumference
• C. Head circumference is half the chest circumference
• D. Head circumference is unchanged from birth

Explanation: At about one year, head and chest circumferences are usually approximately equal.

• A. Measure standing height without removing shoes
• B. Measure recumbent length with the child lying flat
• C. Measure from the shoulder to the heel while sitting
• D. Measure from the crown to the buttocks while standing

Explanation: Recumbent length is measured with the child lying flat until two years of age, using a length board when available.

• A. The birth age of 32 weeks
• B. The chronological age of 6 months
• C. The corrected age of about 4 months
• D. The expected age of about 8 months

Explanation: Corrected age is calculated by subtracting the weeks born early from the chronological age.

• A. To establish a definite neurological diagnosis
• B. To identify children needing further assessment
• C. To predict the child's final intelligence score
• D. To replace the caregiver's developmental history

Explanation: Screening tests identify children who may be at risk and need more detailed assessment.

• A. Gross motor, fine motor, language, personal-social
• B. Weight, length, head size, chest size
• C. Sleep, feeding, elimination, immunisation
• D. Vision, hearing, pulse, respiratory rate

Explanation: Developmental screening commonly considers gross motor, fine motor or adaptive, language, and personal-social abilities.

• A. Pedals a tricycle with coordination
• B. Reads a short paragraph independently
• C. Ties shoelaces using a firm knot
• D. Copies a complex geometric pattern

Explanation: Pedalling a tricycle is a typical gross motor skill around three years.

• A. Record the finding and review other developmental domains
• B. Diagnose intellectual disability from this finding alone
• C. Tell the caregiver that school admission must be delayed
• D. Start treatment with a developmental stimulant medicine

Explanation: One missed skill does not establish a diagnosis, so the nurse should document it, review the complete history, and assess other domains.

• A. Poor weight gain followed by poor length gain
• B. Poor length gain with relatively preserved or increased weight
• C. Poor weight gain with frequent vomiting and diarrhoea
• D. Poor weight gain with reduced subcutaneous fat

Explanation: Endocrine disorders often impair linear growth while weight is relatively preserved or increased.

• A. A single percentile determines whether growth is normal
• B. A steady pattern over time is more useful than one measurement
• C. Any measurement below the 50th percentile indicates malnutrition
• D. Crossing one percentile line always confirms growth failure

Explanation: Growth assessment depends on serial accurate measurements and the child's pattern over time, not one percentile.

• A. Arrange hearing assessment and formal developmental screening
• B. Reassure the caregiver that all language delay is normal
• C. Begin speech therapy without assessing the child further
• D. Label the child as having a global developmental delay

Explanation: Isolated language delay requires assessment of hearing and a structured developmental evaluation.

• A. By 3 to 5 days of age
• B. By 10 to 14 days of age
• C. By 3 to 4 weeks of age
• D. By 6 to 8 weeks of age

Explanation: Most healthy newborns regain their birth weight by about 10 to 14 days after the normal early weight loss.

• A. Growth proceeds from feet toward the head
• B. Growth proceeds from the head toward the feet
• C. Growth proceeds from the trunk toward the head
• D. Growth proceeds equally in all body regions

Explanation: Cephalocaudal growth means development progresses from the head downward toward the trunk and lower limbs.

• A. Complete closure of the anterior fontanel
• B. Closure of the posterior fontanel
• C. Permanent loss of the rooting reflex
• D. Appearance of the first permanent molar

Explanation: The anterior fontanel normally closes during the second year of life, commonly between 12 and 18 months.

• A. Raking small objects with the whole hand
• B. Copying a triangle with a pencil
• C. Using a pincer grasp for finger foods
• D. Holding a crayon with the whole fist

Explanation: By about 5 years, a child can usually copy a triangle and shows improved pencil control.

• A. Diagnose a developmental disorder immediately
• B. Repeat the same test after several years
• C. Arrange further developmental assessment and follow-up
• D. Reassure the caregiver that screening is unnecessary

Explanation: Screening identifies children who may need further assessment; it does not establish a diagnosis.

• A. This always indicates severe motor delay
• B. This may be within normal variation for the age
• C. This confirms a neuromuscular disorder
• D. This indicates loss of an acquired skill

Explanation: Motor skills develop over a range, and repeated hopping with good balance becomes more consistent during the preschool years.

• A. The pattern may represent a normal small familial or birth-related size
• B. The child definitely has acute severe malnutrition
• C. The child must have an endocrine disorder
• D. The growth chart should not be used for this child

Explanation: Some children who are small at birth remain small while following a consistent growth channel and developing normally.

• A. Rapid growth with advanced motor skills
• B. Poor growth with delayed cognitive development
• C. Normal growth with early permanent dentition
• D. Increased appetite with accelerated language development

Explanation: Thyroid hormone is important for brain maturation and normal physical growth, so untreated congenital hypothyroidism can cause poor growth…

• A. Playing beside others without interaction
• B. Showing interest in group rules and cooperation
• C. Relying entirely on parallel play
• D. Having no understanding of another person's feelings

Explanation: School-age children increasingly cooperate with peers, follow group rules and develop a stronger understanding of fairness and others'…

• A. Measuring only the child's head circumference
• B. Observing progress over time and discussing caregiver concerns
• C. Giving an antibiotic before assessing the child
• D. Comparing the child with the tallest child in the class

Explanation: Developmental surveillance is an ongoing process that includes observation, review of milestones, clinical history and caregiver concerns…