A nurse is assessing a 4-month-old infant on a pediatric unit.
Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
Uses thumb and index fingers in a pincer grasp.
Closed posterior fontanel.
Lateral incisors.
Sitting steadily without support.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale
A pincer grasp, using the thumb and index finger to pick up small objects, typically develops around 9 to 12 months of age, not at 4 months.
Choice B rationale
The posterior fontanel typically closes by the age of 2 to 3 months, so a 4-month-old infant would be expected to have a closed posterior fontanel. This finding is consistent with normal development.
Choice C rationale
Lateral incisors, the teeth on either side of the front teeth, typically erupt around 9 to 13 months of age, not at 4 months.
Choice D rationale
Sitting steadily without support generally occurs closer to 6 to 8 months of age, so it would not be expected in a 4-month-old infant.
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View Related questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Negative behaviors characterized by the need for autonomy are typical of toddlers. According to Erikson, this stage is known as autonomy versus shame and doubt, where toddlers
assert their independence and develop self-control.
Choice B rationale
Erikson's stage of initiative versus guilt applies to preschool children, not toddlers. This stage involves children beginning to assert power and control over their environment through
directing play and other social interactions.
Choice C rationale
The need to start a task and complete it is associated with Erikson's stage of industry versus inferiority, which applies to school-aged children, not toddlers. This stage involves
developing a sense of pride in their accomplishments.
Choice D rationale
The discovery of their identity is a characteristic of Erikson's stage of identity versus role confusion, which pertains to adolescence. During this stage, teenagers work on refining a
sense of self.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Proximodistal development refers to growth from the center of the body outward to the extremities. An infant grabbing with their whole hand (palmar grasp) before developing a
pincer grasp demonstrates this pattern, as they gain control of arm movements before fine motor skills in the fingers.
Choice B rationale
Cephalocaudal development refers to growth from head to toe, such as gaining control over head and neck muscles before the limbs. This does not directly explain the grasping
behavior described.
Choice C rationale
Distoproximal is not a recognized term in developmental science and does not describe a growth pattern.
Choice D rationale
Top-to-bottom is another way of describing cephalocaudal development but does not specifically address the described behavior in grasping development. .