NCLEX Pediatrics Review
Updated October 27, 2026
Pediatric questions on the NCLEX-RN often test growth and development: what a child of a given age should be able to do, how to approach them, and how to keep them safe. Here are the high-yield points, followed by free practice questions.
Milestones are typical ranges, and children develop at different rates.
Typical developmental milestones
| Age (about) | Milestones |
|---|---|
| 2 months | Smiles socially |
| 4 to 6 months | Rolls over; holds head steady |
| 6 months | Sits with little or no support |
| 9 months | Pulls to stand; may show stranger anxiety |
| 12 months | Walks with support or alone; says a few words; birth weight roughly triples |
| 2 years | Runs; uses 2-word phrases |
Erikson’s stages
| Age | Stage |
|---|---|
| Infant (0 to 1) | Trust vs. mistrust |
| Toddler (1 to 3) | Autonomy vs. shame and doubt |
| Preschool (3 to 6) | Initiative vs. guilt |
| School age (6 to 12) | Industry vs. inferiority |
| Adolescent | Identity vs. role confusion |
Approach by age
- Toddlers: offer simple choices to support autonomy; let a parent stay close.
- Preschoolers: use dolls and simple words; they may see illness as punishment.
- School-age children: explain with simple facts; they like to help and feel competent.
- Adolescents: respect privacy and talk with them directly; peers matter a great deal.
Free pediatrics practice questions
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According to Erikson, what is the main developmental task of a toddler?Answer: BToddlers (about 1 to 3 years) work on autonomy: doing things for themselves and making simple choices.
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A parent asks when their baby will probably sit without support. What is the best answer?Answer: AMost infants sit with little or no support around 6 months, though there is normal variation.
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Which approach is best when preparing a 4-year-old for a procedure?Answer: CPreschoolers understand best through play and simple, concrete explanations given close to the event.
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How can the nurse best support a hospitalized adolescent?Answer: BAdolescents are developing their identity and value privacy and peer support, so including them in decisions and protecting privacy helps.
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By about what age does an infant's birth weight usually triple?Answer: DBirth weight typically doubles by about 5 to 6 months and triples by about 12 months.
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Which toy is most appropriate for a 9-month-old?Answer: BInfants put things in their mouths, so toys should be large and without small parts. Small pieces are a choking hazard.
Pass the NCLEX-RN on your first try
- All 178 questions across the eight Client Needs categories of the 2026 NCLEX-RN test plan
- An explanation for every answer, with the guideline, drug label or priority rule behind it
- Unlimited full 85-question practice exams, with each area in its test plan share