Sensorimotor (0-2 yr): learns through senses and movement; object permanence develops (peek-a-boo).
Before you read
Test yourself first: 5 questions
Question 1 of 5
Which behavior in a 9-month-old infant indicates expected cognitive development of object permanence?
Answer: A. Object permanence, the understanding that objects continue to exist when out of sight, typically emerges around 8 to 9 months and is shown when the infant searches for a hidden toy. Stranger anxiety reflects social development, and stacking blocks or naming objects are later skills.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse is performing developmental screening on a 4-year-old. Which fine motor or cognitive skill would the nurse expect this child to demonstrate?
Answer: B. A 4-year-old can typically copy a square and draw a person with several body parts. Copying a triangle and printing letters are closer to 5 to 6 years, while scribbling spontaneously is a younger toddler skill around 15 months.
Question 3 of 5
An infant demonstrating 'object permanence' (searching for a hidden toy) is showing development typical of about:
Answer: B. Object permanence emerges around 8–9 months (Piaget's sensorimotor stage) — the infant understands objects exist when out of sight, which underlies separation anxiety.
Question 4 of 5
A pregnant client at 26 weeks gestation tells the nurse she eats tuna several times a week, drinks two cups of coffee daily, and avoids alcohol. Which statement requires further teaching?
Answer: A. Large predatory fish such as tuna, swordfish, and king mackerel are high in mercury, which can harm fetal neurologic development; intake should be limited. Moderate caffeine (under 200 mg, about one to two cups) and alcohol avoidance are appropriate, so those do not require correction.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse is teaching parents of a 6-month-old about expected language development. Which vocalization is most consistent with this age?
Answer: B. By 6 months infants babble with consonant sounds and may combine syllables such as ba-ba or ma-ma nonspecifically. First meaningful words appear around 12 months, two-word phrases around 18 to 24 months, and cooing predominates earlier at 2 to 3 months.
Keep the streak going with more questions like these, each with a full rationale.
What is piaget cognitive development?
Understanding the stage guides how a nurse explains procedures and assesses understanding. Memory aid: Some People Can Fly (Sensorimotor, Preoperational, Concrete, Formal).
Key points to remember
- Sensorimotor (0-2 yr): learns through senses and movement; object permanence develops (peek-a-boo).
- Preoperational (2-7 yr): magical thinking, egocentrism, and animism; cannot grasp conservation.
- Concrete operational (7-11 yr): logical thought about concrete objects; understands conservation, cause-and-effect, and reversibility.
- Formal operational (11+ yr): abstract, hypothetical, and deductive reasoning develops.
- Preschoolers may view illness or hospitalization as punishment due to magical thinking.
- Abstract teaching about consequences works only once formal operational thinking emerges in adolescence.
Nursing priorities
- Use concrete, simple terms and play (dolls, toys) to prepare preschoolers for procedures.
- Reassure preschoolers that illness and hospitalization are not punishment for bad behavior.
- Allow concrete-operational school-age children to handle safe equipment and ask logical questions.
- Engage adolescents with reasoning, autonomy, and discussion of long-term consequences.
Patient teaching
- Explain procedures right before they happen for young children, who have a limited concept of time.
- Use therapeutic play and demonstration to teach school-age children; use facts and choices for teens.
Red flags: report now
- Avoid abstract or future-consequence teaching with young children; they cannot process it and may misinterpret.
- Never use threatening or figurative language ('the medicine will put you to sleep') with literal-thinking children.
References
Clinical references for this topic
