Free Growth and Development MCQs with Answers
50 Growth and Development MCQs from Paediatric Nursing, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
Growth refers to measurable physical change, while development describes progressive skills in the motor, language, cognitive, emotional and social domains. Questions cover normal growth patterns, developmental milestones, developmental screening, factors affecting progress, and recognition of growth faltering or developmental delay, including the difference between maturation and learning.
Last updated
50 questions · page 2 of 3
- 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.
Correct answer: By 10 to 14 days of age- 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.
Correct answer: Growth proceeds from the head toward the feet23. Which physical finding is normally expected in a healthy infant between 12 and 18 months of age?
- 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.
Correct answer: Complete closure of the anterior fontanel- 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.
Correct answer: Copying a triangle with a pencil- 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.
Correct answer: Arrange further developmental assessment and follow-up- 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.
Correct answer: This may be within normal variation for the age- 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.
Correct answer: The pattern may represent a normal small familial or birth-related size- 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…
Correct answer: Poor growth with delayed cognitive development- 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'…
Correct answer: Showing interest in group rules and cooperation- 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…
Correct answer: Observing progress over time and discussing caregiver concerns- A. Weight
- B. Head circumference
- C. Body length
- D. Chest circumference
Explanation: Weight usually decreases or plateaus before length and head circumference are affected in nutritional growth faltering.
Correct answer: Weight- A. Smiling responsively at a caregiver
- B. Playing cooperatively with another child
- C. Following three-step instructions
- D. Showing stranger anxiety consistently
Explanation: A responsive social smile commonly appears by about 2 months and reflects early social development.
Correct answer: Smiling responsively at a caregiver- A. Showing stranger anxiety
- B. Using four-word sentences
- C. Dressing without assistance
- D. Taking turns in group play
Explanation: Stranger anxiety commonly appears during later infancy as attachment and recognition develop.
Correct answer: Showing stranger anxiety- A. Scribbling spontaneously
- B. Tying shoelaces independently
- C. Writing several letters
- D. Cutting accurately with scissors
Explanation: An 18-month-old commonly scribbles spontaneously as hand control improves.
Correct answer: Scribbling spontaneously35. Developmental delay is best described as failure to achieve expected milestones in which situation?
- A. One isolated activity for one week
- B. One or more areas at an age-appropriate rate
- C. Several areas after a single difficult day
- D. A skill that differs from a sibling's skill
Explanation: Developmental delay means that a child is not achieving expected skills at the usual rate in one or more developmental domains.
Correct answer: One or more areas at an age-appropriate rate- A. Hearing assessment
- B. Blood pressure measurement
- C. Abdominal circumference
- D. Daily fluid balance
Explanation: Hearing impairment can interfere with language development and may imitate a primary communication delay.
Correct answer: Hearing assessment37. Which finding most strongly suggests familial short stature rather than an active disease process?
- A. Height remains low but follows a steady curve
- B. Height falls rapidly across percentile lines
- C. Weight loss occurs with chronic diarrhoea
- D. Growth slows with persistent fatigue
Explanation: A child with familial short stature may remain short but usually grows at a normal velocity along a consistent percentile curve.
Correct answer: Height remains low but follows a steady curve- A. Normal variation in maturation
- B. Developmental regression requiring prompt evaluation
- C. Temporary learning difference needing no review
- D. Expected behaviour during a growth spurt
Explanation: Loss of acquired skills is developmental regression and is not considered a normal variation.
Correct answer: Developmental regression requiring prompt evaluation- A. Talking, reading, and responding during play
- B. Leaving the child alone with a television
- C. Correcting every word before the child speaks
- D. Restricting play to silent educational videos
Explanation: Responsive talking, reading, and play provide interaction, language modelling, and opportunities for problem solving.
Correct answer: Talking, reading, and responding during play- A. Likely familial growth pattern
- B. Definite growth hormone deficiency
- C. Acute protein-energy malnutrition
- D. Severe developmental regression
Explanation: Short parents and a steady height curve with normal weight gain support familial short stature.
Correct answer: Likely familial growth pattern