Child health concepts, growth, development and newborn care

35 Kerala PSC Staff Nurse Gr II practice questions on Child health concepts, growth, development and newborn care, part of Child Health Nursing. The first 25 are below; the first 5 with answers and explanations (tap Show answer after you have chosen), the rest in Learn with a free account.

Question 1 · Easy
The total number of deciduous (milk) teeth in a child is:
1. A32
2. B20
3. C24
4. D28
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Answer: B · 20
A child has 20 deciduous teeth, 10 in each jaw. The first tooth usually erupts at about 6-7 months and all milk teeth are present by 2-2.5 years. A rough rule is that the number of teeth equals age in months minus 6 up to 2 years.
- A: 32 is the full permanent dentition including wisdom teeth.
- C: 24 is not a normal tooth count for any dentition.
- D: 28 is the permanent set before the third molars erupt.
Question 2 · Easy
The white, cheesy material covering the skin of a newborn at birth is called:
1. AMilia
2. BMeconium
3. CLanugo
4. DVernix caseosa
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Answer: D · Vernix caseosa
Vernix caseosa is a greasy white coating of sebum and shed skin cells that protects the foetal skin in amniotic fluid. It is more plentiful in preterm babies and scanty in post-term babies. It is left to be absorbed and not scrubbed off, as it helps keep the skin moist and gives some protection against infection.
- A: Milia are tiny white spots on the nose from blocked sebaceous glands.
- B: Meconium is the first stool, dark green and sticky.
- C: Lanugo is fine downy hair, most marked in preterm babies.
Question 3 · Hard
Using the formula weight (kg) = (age in months + 9) / 2 for infants aged 3-12 months, what is the expected weight of a 7-month-old?
1. A8 kg
2. B16 kg
3. C6 kg
4. D22 kg
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Answer: A · 8 kg
For infants of 3-12 months, expected weight = (age in months + 9) / 2. For 7 months: (7 + 9) / 2 = 16 / 2 = 8 kg. This fits the rule that a 3 kg baby doubles weight by 5 months and reaches about 9 kg at 1 year. The formula gives a quick bedside estimate when no weight is available, for example in an emergency.
- B: 16 kg results from forgetting to divide by 2.
- C: 6 kg is double a typical birth weight, reached at about 5 months, not 7.
- D: 22 kg results from using the 1-6 year formula (age x 2 + 8) with months instead of years.
Question 4 · Easy
A normal infant achieves good head (neck) control by about:
1. A9 months
2. B1 month
3. C6 months
4. D3 months
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Answer: D · 3 months
Neck holding is the first gross motor milestone and is usually achieved by 3 months. Head lag on pull-to-sit after 4 months is a warning sign of motor delay or hypotonia. Development proceeds from head downwards, so neck control comes before sitting and standing.
- A: At 9 months the infant sits steadily and crawls.
- B: At 1 month the head still lags and drops.
- C: By 6 months the infant is sitting with support, well past neck control.
Question 5 · Medium
A mother is advised to let the baby empty one breast before offering the other. This ensures that the baby receives hindmilk, which is rich in:
1. AWater
2. BImmunoglobulin
3. CLactose
4. DFat
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Answer: D · Fat
Foremilk at the start of a feed is watery and rich in lactose and quenches thirst. Hindmilk at the end of the feed is rich in fat, which gives most of the energy and satiety needed for weight gain. Switching breasts too early gives the baby mostly foremilk, which can cause poor weight gain, hunger and frothy green stools.
- A: Water content is higher in the foremilk.
- B: Immunoglobulins are highest in colostrum, not specifically in hindmilk.
- C: Lactose is higher in the foremilk.
Question 6 · Hard
A term baby weighed 3.2 kg at birth. On day 4 she weighs 2.95 kg. She is exclusively breastfed, passes urine 6-7 times a day and is active. The most appropriate action is to:
1. AStart formula top-up feeds after each feed
2. BReassure and continue exclusive breastfeeding
3. CAdmit the baby for intravenous fluids
4. DGive glucose water between breastfeeds
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 7 · Easy
After a normal delivery, breastfeeding should ideally be started within:
1. A1 hour of birth
2. B12 hours of birth
3. C24 hours of birth
4. D4 hours of birth
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 8 · Easy
Who is known as the father of paediatrics?
1. ALouis Pasteur
2. BHippocrates
3. CAbraham Jacobi
4. DEdward Jenner
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 9 · Hard
A 2-year-old is brought to an anganwadi with swelling of both feet that pits on pressure. MUAC is 12.8 cm. He is alert but feeds poorly. What should the nurse do?
1. AAdvise a home diet and review in one month
2. BReassure the mother as the MUAC is normal
3. CRefer him to a Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre
4. DAsk the doctor to start a diuretic for oedema
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 10 · Medium
Low birth weight babies lose heat quickly mainly because they have:
1. AA low basal heart rate
2. BOveractive sweat glands
3. CA strong shivering response
4. DA large surface area and little fat
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 11 · Medium
An 8-month-old infant still shows a full Moro reflex when the head is allowed to drop back. What does this suggest?
1. AA sign of good hearing
2. BA possible neurological problem
3. CNormal development for the age
4. DAdvanced motor development
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 12 · Hard
On the third postnatal day, a mother's breasts are hard, swollen, warm and painful on both sides, and the baby cannot latch well. She has no fever. The nurse should advise her to:
1. AGive formula feeds for the next two days
2. BStop breastfeeding until swelling settles
3. CWear a tight breast binder day and night
4. DExpress a little milk, then feed often
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 13 · Hard
A 1.9 kg baby is seen at home on day 5. Her feet are cold, axillary temperature is 36.0°C, and she is active and sucking well. What should the nurse do first?
1. AStart skin-to-skin contact with the mother
2. BRefer the baby urgently to the SNCU
3. CGive the baby a warm water bath
4. DPlace a hot water bottle beside the baby
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 14 · Medium
In India, most low birth weight babies are:
1. ABabies of diabetic mothers
2. BPost-term babies with dysmaturity
3. CPreterm babies of normal weight
4. DTerm babies with growth restriction
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 15 · Easy
During the first year of life, an infant's length increases by about:
1. A25%
2. B100%
3. C200%
4. D50%
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 16 · Easy
According to Freud, the psychosexual stage of a child aged 1-3 years is the:
1. ALatency stage
2. BOral stage
3. CPhallic stage
4. DAnal stage
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 17 · Easy
The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative was launched jointly by:
1. AUNICEF and ILO
2. BWorld Bank and WHO
3. CUNFPA and UNDP
4. DWHO and UNICEF
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 18 · Medium
Physiological jaundice in a term newborn usually first appears:
1. AAfter the end of the second week
2. BWithin the first 24 hours
3. COn the second or third day
4. DOnly after starting phototherapy
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 19 · Medium
ALL OF THE FOLLOWING ARE NORMAL FINDINGS IN A HEALTHY TERM NEWBORN EXCEPT:
1. AMeconium passed within 24 hours
2. BA weight loss of 5-7% in week one
3. CA closed anterior fontanelle
4. DA head circumference of 34 cm
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 20 · Medium
In India, the largest share of infant deaths occurs:
1. ADuring the weaning period
2. BIn the first month of life
3. CBetween 1 and 6 months
4. DBetween 6 and 12 months
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 21 · Medium
A 4-day-old girl has a slight blood-stained vaginal discharge. She is otherwise well. The usual cause is:
1. AEarly onset of puberty
2. BWithdrawal of maternal oestrogen
3. CVitamin K deficiency bleeding
4. DInjury during delivery
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 22 · Medium
A soft, pitting swelling over the presenting part of the scalp, present at birth and crossing the suture lines, is:
1. ACephalhaematoma
2. BCraniotabes
3. CCaput succedaneum
4. DMeningocele
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 23 · Medium
A 3-year-old has a mid-upper arm circumference of 11 cm and no oedema. This child is classified as:
1. ANormal nutritional status
2. BMild chronic malnutrition
3. CModerate acute malnutrition
4. DSevere acute malnutrition
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 24 · Easy
The preferred site for the vitamin K injection in a newborn is the:
1. AVentrogluteal area
2. BDorsogluteal muscle
3. CDeltoid muscle
4. DAnterolateral thigh
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 25 · Easy
Chest retraction, nasal flaring and expiratory grunt in a newborn are graded using the:
1. AApgar score
2. BNew Ballard score
3. CGlasgow coma scale
4. DSilverman-Andersen score
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account

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Child health concepts, growth, development and newborn care

The total number of deciduous (milk) teeth in a child is:

The white, cheesy material covering the skin of a newborn at birth is called:

Using the formula weight (kg) = (age in months + 9) / 2 for infants aged 3-12 months, what is the expected weight of a 7-month-old?

A normal infant achieves good head (neck) control by about:

A mother is advised to let the baby empty one breast before offering the other. This ensures that the baby receives hindmilk, which is rich in:

A term baby weighed 3.2 kg at birth. On day 4 she weighs 2.95 kg. She is exclusively breastfed, passes urine 6-7 times a day and is active. The most appropriate action is to:

After a normal delivery, breastfeeding should ideally be started within:

Who is known as the father of paediatrics?

A 2-year-old is brought to an anganwadi with swelling of both feet that pits on pressure. MUAC is 12.8 cm. He is alert but feeds poorly. What should the nurse do?

Low birth weight babies lose heat quickly mainly because they have:

An 8-month-old infant still shows a full Moro reflex when the head is allowed to drop back. What does this suggest?

On the third postnatal day, a mother's breasts are hard, swollen, warm and painful on both sides, and the baby cannot latch well. She has no fever. The nurse should advise her to:

A 1.9 kg baby is seen at home on day 5. Her feet are cold, axillary temperature is 36.0°C, and she is active and sucking well. What should the nurse do first?

In India, most low birth weight babies are:

During the first year of life, an infant's length increases by about:

According to Freud, the psychosexual stage of a child aged 1-3 years is the:

The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative was launched jointly by:

Physiological jaundice in a term newborn usually first appears:

ALL OF THE FOLLOWING ARE NORMAL FINDINGS IN A HEALTHY TERM NEWBORN EXCEPT:

In India, the largest share of infant deaths occurs:

A 4-day-old girl has a slight blood-stained vaginal discharge. She is otherwise well. The usual cause is:

A soft, pitting swelling over the presenting part of the scalp, present at birth and crossing the suture lines, is:

A 3-year-old has a mid-upper arm circumference of 11 cm and no oedema. This child is classified as:

The preferred site for the vitamin K injection in a newborn is the:

Chest retraction, nasal flaring and expiratory grunt in a newborn are graded using the: