A nurse cares for an 8-month-old infant who screams when the parent leaves the room. The parent begins to cry and says, "I don't understand why my child is so upset. I've never seen my child act this way around others before." Which of the following statements should the nurse make?
"This is a typical reaction for a child who is sick."
"This is a response to an overstimulating environment."
"This is a normal, expected reaction for a child of this age."
"This is a common reaction to an overexposure to caregivers."
The Correct Answer is C
A. "This is a typical reaction for a child who is sick.” While illness may heighten distress, the behavior described—crying when the parent leaves—is more related to developmental stage than to acute illness, and should not be solely attributed to sickness.
B. "This is a response to an overstimulating environment." Overstimulation can cause fussiness or irritability, but separation anxiety, not overstimulation, best explains the infant’s reaction to the parent leaving.
C. "This is a normal, expected reaction for a child of this age." Separation anxiety typically emerges around 6–8 months of age as infants begin to understand object permanence. The child’s distress upon separation is a developmentally appropriate behavior.
D. "This is a common reaction to an overexposure to caregivers." Overexposure does not lead to distress when a caregiver leaves. Rather, strong attachment bonds cause infants to become upset when their primary caregiver is not present.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Erikson's stage of initiative versus guilt: This stage typically occurs during the preschool years (ages 3 to 6), when children begin initiating activities and asserting control through social interactions and play.
B. Demonstrations of sexual curiosity: Although some curiosity may occur, pronounced sexual curiosity is more typical during the preschool years, not the toddler stage, and it is not a hallmark of toddler psychosocial development.
C. Imaginary playmates: Imaginary friends commonly appear in preschool-aged children (around 3 to 6 years of age) and are part of normal imaginative development, not characteristic of toddlers.
D. Negative behaviors characterized by the need for autonomy: Toddlers are in Erikson’s stage of autonomy vs. shame and doubt. They frequently exhibit negativism (e.g., saying "no") as a means of asserting independence and developing a sense of autonomy.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. 12 months: By 12 months, an infant’s weight typically triples, not just doubles, reflecting rapid growth in the first year.
B. 9 months: While growth rates vary, doubling birth weight by 9 months is slightly later than the average developmental milestone.
C. 3 months: At 3 months, most infants have gained weight but have not yet doubled their birth weight.
D. 6 months: Infants generally double their birth weight by around 5 to 6 months of age, which is a key indicator of healthy growth and nutrition.
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