A nurse is offering anticipatory guidance on child development to the parents of a toddler. Which developmental task should the nurse mention as being expected of a toddler?
Explains the difference between right and wrong.
Cooperates in performing simple chores.
Prints letters and numbers.
Separates easily from primary caregiver for short periods of time.
The Correct Answer is D
The correct answer is Choice D
Choice A rationale: Moral reasoning, including distinguishing right from wrong, requires abstract cognitive processing and internalization of social norms, typically emerging during the concrete operational stage around age 7. Toddlers are in Piaget’s sensorimotor to early preoperational phase, where egocentrism dominates and behavior is guided by immediate consequences rather than ethical principles. They lack the neurological maturity and social-cognitive integration required for moral discourse, making this milestone developmentally inappropriate for the toddler age group.
Choice B rationale: Performing simple chores involves task comprehension, motor coordination, and social cooperation, which are more consistently observed in preschool-aged children (4–5 years). Toddlers may imitate adult actions but lack sustained attention, impulse control, and fine motor precision needed for chore completion. Their psychosocial development is centered on autonomy and exploration, not structured responsibility. Expecting chore cooperation at this stage exceeds normative developmental expectations and may lead to frustration or behavioral resistance.
Choice C rationale: Printing letters and numbers requires advanced fine motor control, visual-motor integration, and symbolic cognition, typically achieved between ages 5 and 6. Toddlers are still developing basic hand-eye coordination and may engage in scribbling, but they lack the neuromuscular refinement and cognitive mapping needed for structured writing. Neurodevelopmental milestones do not support this skill in the toddler phase, making it scientifically inaccurate to expect printing behavior before preschool age.
Choice D rationale: By age 3, toddlers begin to tolerate brief separations from primary caregivers due to improved object permanence, emotional regulation, and social awareness. This aligns with Erikson’s autonomy vs. shame and doubt stage, where toddlers explore independence while maintaining secure attachment. Separation anxiety peaks around 9–18 months and typically declines by age 3. The ability to separate easily for short periods reflects healthy psychosocial development and is a scientifically appropriate expectation for toddlers.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Eyelid swelling is not a common side effect of sumatriptan. If a patient experiences this side effect, they should report it to their healthcare provider.
Choice B rationale
If the headache persists after taking sumatriptan, the patient can repeat the dose in 1 hour. This is a standard instruction for the use of sumatriptan in the treatment of migraine headaches.
Choice C rationale
Sumatriptan is not typically taken daily to prevent headaches. It is used to treat migraines once they have started.
Choice D rationale
Sumatriptan tablets should be swallowed whole, not chewed. Chewing the tablet could result in too much of the drug being released at once.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
The nurse should respect the patient’s need for space while also expressing willingness to talk when the patient is ready.
Choice B rationale
Telling the patient “Everything will be okay” may seem dismissive of the patient’s feelings and may not be helpful in this situation.
Choice C rationale
Asking “Do you feel like crying helps?” might come across as judgmental or dismissive.
Choice D rationale
Asking “Would you like to be alone?” might make the patient feel isolated or abandoned.
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