During a routine checkup, a nurse observes that a 4-year-old child has noticeably enlarged tonsils but is otherwise healthy with no signs of infection. The child's parents express concern. Which statement BEST explains this finding?
Lymphoid tissue, including tonsils, normally enlarges in early childhood and may exceed adult size before gradually shrinking in adolescence.
This finding is abnormal and warrants an urgent referral to an ENT specialist.
The enlarged tonsils suggest the child's immune system is underdeveloped.
The enlarged tonsils indicate a chronic infection that requires immediate antibiotic treatment.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Tonsils are part of the lymphatic system, which is most active in early childhood to help the body respond to infections and build immunity. It is common for tonsils to appear large in healthy children between ages 3 and 6. This is a normal physiological finding and usually does not indicate illness unless accompanied by symptoms such as fever, difficulty breathing, or recurrent infections.
B. While significantly enlarged tonsils causing airway obstruction, sleep apnea, or recurrent infections may require evaluation, tonsillar enlargement alone in an otherwise healthy child is typically normal and does not require urgent referral.
C. Enlarged tonsils in this age group indicate a normally active immune system, not underdevelopment. They help the body recognize and respond to antigens, supporting healthy immune function.
D. Chronic or acute infections may cause tonsillar enlargement, but in the absence of symptoms such as fever, redness, or exudate, there is no evidence of infection, and antibiotics are not indicated.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. When the mother is blood type A and the fetus is also blood type A, the red blood cell antigens are the same. Because the mother does not have antibodies against her own blood type, there is no risk for ABO incompatibility in this situation.
B. A mother with blood type AB has both A and B antigens and therefore does not produce anti-A or anti-B antibodies. Since ABO incompatibility depends on maternal antibodies attacking fetal red blood cells, this combination does not place the fetus at risk.
C. If both the mother and fetus are blood type B, the maternal immune system recognizes the fetal red blood cells as “self.” No antibody-mediated hemolysis occurs, so ABO incompatibility is not a concern.
D. A mother with blood type O is at the greatest risk for ABO incompatibility, especially when the fetus has blood type A or B. Mothers with type O blood naturally have both anti-A and anti-B IgG antibodies. These antibodies can cross the placenta during pregnancy and attack fetal red blood cells, leading to hemolysis. This can result in conditions such as neonatal jaundice and, in more severe cases, anemia. Therefore, this maternal–fetal blood type combination presents the highest risk for ABO incompatibility.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Developmental milestones follow predictable sequences, but the exact age at which each child reaches them can vary. Expecting all babies to reach milestones at the same age is unrealistic and does not reflect normal variation in growth and development.
B. While gross motor skills like walking often develop alongside fine motor skills, fine motor development does not occur automatically. It requires practice, coordination, and maturation of muscles and nervous system pathways.
C. Genetics play a significant role in growth, influencing height, weight, body proportions, and sometimes developmental timing. Denying the influence of genetics misrepresents a key factor in growth and development.
D. This statement reflects an accurate understanding of developmental principles. Growth and developmental milestones occur in a predictable sequence (cephalocaudal, proximodistal, and simple-to-complex patterns), but the timing can vary for each child. This acknowledges normal individual differences while recognizing typical developmental patterns.
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