Complete Exam Guide Subject-wise practice platform
0 XP
Pediatric Nursing

Behavioral and Developmental Disorders in Children Practice Questions

20 free Behavioral and Developmental Disorders in Children practice questions for the NCLEX Exam. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.

Practice in Quiz Mode

Question 1 of 20 Easy

Which disorder is characterised by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity in children?

  1. A Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)
  2. B Conduct disorder (CD)
  3. C Attention‑deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  4. D Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

Correct answer: Attention‑deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

ADHD is characterised by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity in children that are developmentally inappropriate and occur across settings.

Question 2 of 20 Easy

What term refers to a group of conditions beginning in the developmental period that impact physical, learning, language, or behavior areas and often last throughout life?

  1. A Conditions that arise only after age 10
  2. B Conditions affecting physical ability but not language or behavior
  3. C Conditions beginning in the developmental period that impair function
  4. D Conditions that are temporary and resolve by adolescence

Correct answer: Conditions beginning in the developmental period that impair function

Developmental disabilities are conditions beginning in the developmental period that impact physical, learning, language, or behavior areas and often last throughout life.

Question 3 of 20 Medium

What is a key difference between Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and Conduct disorder (CD) in children?

  1. A Frequent temper tantrums and blaming others
  2. B Aggression toward people or animals and rule violation
  3. C Inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity
  4. D Deficits in social communication and restricted interests

Correct answer: Aggression toward people or animals and rule violation

Conduct disorder involves more serious behavioural problems such as aggression toward people/animals and deliberate violation of rules, while ODD involves defiance and irritability without such severe behaviours.

Question 4 of 20 Medium

Which finding in a toddler most warrants evaluation for autism spectrum disorder or another developmental disorder?

  1. A Mild stranger anxiety at 12 months of age
  2. B Lack of social communication, gestures, and limited speech
  3. C Preference for one parent over the other
  4. D Occasional tantrums when tired or hungry

Correct answer: Lack of social communication, gestures, and limited speech

Impaired social communication, reduced use of gestures, and limited speech in early childhood are red flags warranting evaluation for ASD or other developmental disorders. The other findings are within the range of typical toddler behaviour.

Question 5 of 20 Medium

In the evaluation of childhood behavioural problems, what is one of the first steps to be taken?

  1. A Immediately prescribe behaviour-control medication
  2. B Assume the behaviour is voluntary and unmodifiable
  3. C Evaluate medical causes, development, and context
  4. D Disregard parental concerns if school behaviour is fine

Correct answer: Evaluate medical causes, development, and context

Behavioural problems must be assessed in the context of the child’s development, physical and mental health, temperament, and environment; medical causes must be excluded.

Question 6 of 20 Medium

What is true about developmental-behavioural pediatrics?

  1. A It addresses only intellectual disability in children
  2. B It focuses exclusively on typically developing children
  3. C It evaluates and treats complex developmental and behavioral conditions
  4. D It is practised solely by psychiatrists, not pediatricians

Correct answer: It evaluates and treats complex developmental and behavioral conditions

Developmental-behavioural pediatrics is a multidisciplinary approach to children with developmental and behavioural concerns, supporting social, communication, academic, and behavioural domains and involving family/school collaboration.

Question 7 of 20 Medium

Poor growth, frequent vomiting, and food extrusion in a young child most likely indicate which of the following?

  1. A Normal picky-eating behaviour in a toddler
  2. B A feeding disorder of infancy or early childhood
  3. C Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  4. D Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)

Correct answer: A feeding disorder of infancy or early childhood

Persistent feeding refusal, growth faltering, vomiting, and food extrusion point to a feeding disorder of infancy/childhood rather than normal picky eating. ADHD and ODD are behavioural disorders and do not explain the growth and feeding findings.

Question 8 of 20 Medium

Which disorder is NOT classified as a common disruptive behaviour disorder in children?

  1. A Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  2. B Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)
  3. C Conduct disorder (CD)
  4. D Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

Correct answer: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder and not primarily classified as a disruptive behaviour disorder; common disruptive behaviours include ADHD, ODD, and CD.

Question 9 of 20 Medium

A child with a history of early neglect approaches and goes off with unfamiliar adults without hesitation. This behaviour best fits which disorder?

  1. A Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
  2. B Overly familiar, uninhibited approach to strangers (DSED)
  3. C Oppositional defiant disorder
  4. D Conduct disorder

Correct answer: Overly familiar, uninhibited approach to strangers (DSED)

Disinhibited social engagement disorder (DSED) is marked by overly familiar, uninhibited interaction with unfamiliar adults, typically in children with histories of neglect or disrupted attachment. The other disorders do not centre on this attachment-related social disinhibition.

Question 10 of 20 Medium

Which risk factor is particularly important in the development of childhood mental and developmental disorders?

  1. A Genetic predisposition acting in isolation
  2. B Having a high IQ relative to peers
  3. C Maltreatment, caregiver mental illness, and poor environments
  4. D Daily screen-time exposure as the sole driver

Correct answer: Maltreatment, caregiver mental illness, and poor environments

Major risk factors include maltreatment, caregiver mental health issues, and suboptimal environments; these have a broad impact on child mental and developmental disorders.

Question 11 of 20 Medium

What is expected regarding symptoms in children with ADHD according to diagnostic criteria?

  1. A Be present only in the home environment
  2. B Begin after age 16
  3. C Occur in more than one setting and impair functioning
  4. D Always respond rapidly to stimulant medication alone

Correct answer: Occur in more than one setting and impair functioning

Diagnostic criteria for ADHD require symptoms to be present in more than one setting and cause impairment; home-only behaviour does not satisfy criteria.

Question 12 of 20 Medium

Which finding emphasises the importance of ruling out hearing impairment in children with language delay?

  1. A Behavioural problems can never cause language delay
  2. B Hearing loss is a treatable cause that must be excluded
  3. C Language delay in a child always indicates autism
  4. D Hearing testing is unnecessary before six years of age

Correct answer: Hearing loss is a treatable cause that must be excluded

Hearing loss is an important treatable cause of language and development delays; such medical/physical causes must be addressed before attributing delays solely to behavioural disorders.

Question 13 of 20 Medium

What are the key early signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children?

  1. A Frequent, indiscriminate talking to unfamiliar strangers
  2. B Repetitive play, reduced social reciprocity, delayed language
  3. C Sudden onset of physical aggression beginning at age 12
  4. D Excellent peer interaction with isolated delay in motor skills

Correct answer: Repetitive play, reduced social reciprocity, delayed language

Key early signs of ASD include reduced social communication/reciprocity, delays in language, and restricted/repetitive behaviours or interests.

Question 14 of 20 Medium

What is true about the persistence of childhood behavioural and developmental disorders?

  1. A They typically resolve fully and completely by adolescence
  2. B They may persist into adulthood, affecting academic, work, and social life
  3. C They are essentially irrelevant to later adult mental health
  4. D They rarely require any ongoing support once a child grows up

Correct answer: They may persist into adulthood, affecting academic, work, and social life

Many childhood behavioural/developmental disorders persist into adulthood and result in increased risk of unemployment, law-enforcement contact, and the need for disability support.

Question 15 of 20 Medium

Which parental strategy is most appropriate when managing a child with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)?

  1. A Ignore positive behaviours and respond only to negative ones
  2. B Use consistent rules, praise for compliance, and predictable consequences
  3. C Let the child set all of the rules in order to improve cooperation
  4. D Use harsh punishment to stop the unwanted behaviour immediately

Correct answer: Use consistent rules, praise for compliance, and predictable consequences

Evidence-based management of ODD includes parent-training strategies with consistent structure, predictable consequences, and reinforcement of positive behaviour.

Question 16 of 20 Medium

What is one of the most critical features to evaluate in developmental-behavioural assessment of a child?

  1. A The child's overall IQ score considered on its own
  2. B The child observed alone, without family or school input
  3. C Development across multiple domains plus family and environment
  4. D The child's academic achievement record considered on its own

Correct answer: Development across multiple domains plus family and environment

A comprehensive assessment includes multiple developmental domains (motor, language, social, cognitive), plus family, school, and environment to understand behaviour/development in context.

Question 17 of 20 Medium

What is a hallmark of a specific learning disorder in a child?

  1. A Average IQ but persistent trouble with reading, writing, or arithmetic
  2. B Low IQ with broad, global difficulty across all academic subjects
  3. C Disruptive classroom behaviour problems without learning difficulty
  4. D Difficulty that is typically caused by poor teaching alone

Correct answer: Average IQ but persistent trouble with reading, writing, or arithmetic

Specific learning disorders occur despite normal overall intellectual ability and involve persistent difficulties in academic skills in one or more areas (reading, writing, maths).

Question 18 of 20 Medium

What diagnosis is most likely in a child displaying frequent temper outbursts, irritability most of the day, and markedly impaired functioning for over 12 months?

  1. A Conduct disorder
  2. B Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD)
  3. C ADHD
  4. D Autism spectrum disorder

Correct answer: Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD)

DMDD is characterised by severe persistent irritability and frequent temper outbursts in children, lasting at least 12 months and occurring in multiple settings.

Question 19 of 20 Medium

What are sleep problems in preschool-aged children linked to?

  1. A Only physical illness, with no link to a child's behaviour
  2. B Better cognitive and behavioural outcomes in the preschool years
  3. C Behavioural and cognitive problems linked to poor sleep quality
  4. D Largely no impact on a young child's development or behaviour

Correct answer: Behavioural and cognitive problems linked to poor sleep quality

Research shows that greater sleep quantity/quality in preschoolers correlates with better behavioural and cognitive outcomes; poor sleep contributes to behavioural difficulties.

Question 20 of 20 Medium

What concept does a school-aged child with ADHD showing symptoms of anxiety and learning difficulties best exemplify?

  1. A One disorder always excludes another
  2. B Comorbidity – multiple disorders co-occur in children
  3. C ADHD excludes anxiety disorders
  4. D Learning disorders are unrelated to ADHD

Correct answer: Comorbidity – multiple disorders co-occur in children

Childhood neurodevelopmental and behavioural disorders commonly co-occur (comorbidity); children with ADHD frequently have additional anxiety, learning, conduct, or mood problems.

0 / 20 answered