NCLEX Developmental Theories Exam Practice Questions and Answers

185 Questions and Answers

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Mastering developmental theories is a critical component of NCLEX exam preparation. This comprehensive NCLEX Developmental Theories Practice Exam is designed to help nursing candidates build a strong conceptual foundation in human growth and development. It covers essential psychological and developmental frameworks that nurses must understand to provide patient-centered care across the lifespan.

The practice exam delves into major theoretical models including Freud’s psychosexual stages, Erikson’s psychosocial development, Piaget’s cognitive development, Kohlberg’s moral reasoning, and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. It also addresses modern perspectives on socioemotional development, attachment theories, behavioral and social learning frameworks, and lifespan development milestones from infancy through older adulthood.

Learners will gain insights into how different developmental stages influence patient behavior, communication, cognitive function, emotional response, and health education strategies. This is especially crucial in pediatrics, geriatrics, mental health, and community nursing settings. Understanding these theories supports better clinical decision-making, enhances therapeutic communication, and enables nurses to tailor care plans to meet individual needs at each life stage.

The included learning material offers real-world clinical scenarios and application-based items that test not just memory but critical thinking. It helps reinforce theory-to-practice connections, ensuring deeper retention of concepts aligned with NCLEX test plans. With realistic practice content and rationales, this resource supports the development of clinical judgment, one of the core competencies assessed on the latest NCLEX exam structure.

Ideal for nursing students, new graduates, and international nurses preparing for licensure, this practice tool strengthens your grasp on developmental psychology topics that frequently appear on the exam. Whether you’re brushing up before test day or revisiting core principles during study sessions, it provides focused, high-yield content tailored for success.

By integrating evidence-based learning strategies with exam-aligned content, this preparation tool supports a more confident, informed approach to understanding patient development across the lifespan.

Sample Questions and Answers

  1. Which of the following is the focus of Erikson’s psychosocial theory during adolescence?
  • A. Integrity vs. Despair
  • B. Industry vs. Inferiority
  • C. Identity vs. Role Confusion
  • D. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
  • Answer: C. Identity vs. Role Confusion
  1. According to Piaget, at what stage do children develop the ability to perform operations mentally rather than physically?
  • A. Sensorimotor
  • B. Preoperational
  • C. Concrete operational
  • D. Formal operational
  • Answer: C. Concrete operational
  1. What is the key developmental task during the “trust vs. mistrust” stage according to Erikson?
  • A. Developing independence
  • B. Establishing a sense of trust in caregivers
  • C. Learning to share with others
  • D. Developing self-control
  • Answer: B. Establishing a sense of trust in caregivers
  1. Which of the following is a characteristic of the sensorimotor stage in Piaget’s theory?
  • A. Abstract thinking
  • B. The ability to perform operations mentally
  • C. Development of object permanence
  • D. Use of symbols and language
  • Answer: C. Development of object permanence
  1. In Erikson’s theory, what is the primary challenge during the “generativity vs. stagnation” stage of adulthood?
  • A. Developing self-identity
  • B. Finding purpose through work and family
  • C. Achieving physical milestones
  • D. Establishing autonomy
  • Answer: B. Finding purpose through work and family
  1. At which stage of Erikson’s psychosocial development is the key challenge “autonomy vs. shame and doubt”?
  • A. Infancy
  • B. Toddlerhood
  • C. Preschool
  • D. Adolescence
  • Answer: B. Toddlerhood
  1. According to Kohlberg, at which level of moral development do individuals base their moral decisions on avoiding punishment?
  • A. Preconventional
  • B. Conventional
  • C. Postconventional
  • D. Self-conceptual
  • Answer: A. Preconventional
  1. Which of the following best describes the preoperational stage in Piaget’s theory of cognitive development?
  • A. The child begins to use logical reasoning
  • B. The child begins to develop abstract thinking
  • C. The child uses symbols and language but lacks logical thinking
  • D. The child understands object permanence
  • Answer: C. The child uses symbols and language but lacks logical thinking
  1. Which of Erikson’s stages occurs during middle adulthood?
  • A. Industry vs. Inferiority
  • B. Intimacy vs. Isolation
  • C. Generativity vs. Stagnation
  • D. Integrity vs. Despair
  • Answer: C. Generativity vs. Stagnation
  1. In the formal operational stage, according to Piaget, children are able to:
  • A. Understand the concept of object permanence
  • B. Think abstractly and solve complex problems
  • C. Use symbolic play
  • D. Understand cause and effect
  • Answer: B. Think abstractly and solve complex problems
  1. According to Erikson, the central conflict during the infancy stage is:
  • A. Integrity vs. Despair
  • B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
  • C. Trust vs. Mistrust
  • D. Identity vs. Role Confusion
  • Answer: C. Trust vs. Mistrust
  1. Which of the following is the primary task of the “identity vs. role confusion” stage in adolescence?
  • A. Establishing intimate relationships
  • B. Developing a sense of personal identity
  • C. Achieving autonomy from parents
  • D. Developing basic trust in others
  • Answer: B. Developing a sense of personal identity
  1. In which stage do children develop the ability to think logically about concrete events, according to Piaget?
  • A. Sensorimotor
  • B. Preoperational
  • C. Concrete operational
  • D. Formal operational
  • Answer: C. Concrete operational
  1. What is the focus of the “integrity vs. despair” stage in Erikson’s theory of development?
  • A. Finding a sense of belonging
  • B. Reflecting on life and accepting it
  • C. Establishing independence
  • D. Developing a career
  • Answer: B. Reflecting on life and accepting it
  1. Which stage in Piaget’s cognitive development theory involves the use of symbols and language?
  • A. Sensorimotor
  • B. Preoperational
  • C. Concrete operational
  • D. Formal operational
  • Answer: B. Preoperational
  1. In Kohlberg’s stages of moral development, the postconventional level is characterized by:
  • A. Adherence to rules for self-interest
  • B. Following societal rules
  • C. Making decisions based on personal principles and justice
  • D. Avoiding punishment
  • Answer: C. Making decisions based on personal principles and justice
  1. During which of Erikson’s stages do individuals experience “intimacy vs. isolation”?
  • A. Adolescence
  • B. Young adulthood
  • C. Middle adulthood
  • D. Late adulthood
  • Answer: B. Young adulthood
  1. Piaget’s concept of “object permanence” refers to the ability to:
  • A. Think logically
  • B. Recognize that objects continue to exist even when not seen
  • C. Understand cause and effect
  • D. Engage in symbolic play
  • Answer: B. Recognize that objects continue to exist even when not seen
  1. The concept of “generativity” in Erikson’s theory refers to:
  • A. The ability to care for oneself
  • B. The desire to contribute to the well-being of others
  • C. The ability to maintain intimate relationships
  • D. The ability to reflect on past experiences
  • Answer: B. The desire to contribute to the well-being of others
  1. In the sensorimotor stage of Piaget’s cognitive development theory, infants primarily learn through:
  • A. Language and social interaction
  • B. Logical thinking and reasoning
  • C. Sensory exploration and motor activity
  • D. Symbolic representation of objects
  • Answer: C. Sensory exploration and motor activity
  1. Which of the following is characteristic of Kohlberg’s postconventional level of moral reasoning?
  • A. Moral decisions are based on rewards and punishments
  • B. Moral decisions are based on social norms
  • C. Moral decisions are based on abstract principles of justice
  • D. Moral decisions are based on family values
  • Answer: C. Moral decisions are based on abstract principles of justice
  1. During which stage does Piaget believe children begin to use symbols, such as words and images, to represent objects?
  • A. Sensorimotor
  • B. Preoperational
  • C. Concrete operational
  • D. Formal operational
  • Answer: B. Preoperational
  1. Which of the following is true about the “autonomy vs. shame and doubt” stage in Erikson’s theory?
  • A. It occurs in adolescence
  • B. It involves establishing independence from parents
  • C. It involves developing trust in caregivers
  • D. It occurs in early adulthood
  • Answer: B. It involves establishing independence from parents
  1. In which stage do individuals typically experience a crisis of self-identity, according to Erikson?
  • A. Infancy
  • B. Adolescence
  • C. Early adulthood
  • D. Middle adulthood
  • Answer: B. Adolescence
  1. Which of the following is the primary developmental task during the “industry vs. inferiority” stage of Erikson’s theory?
  • A. Developing the ability to think abstractly
  • B. Learning new skills and competencies
  • C. Developing a sense of personal identity
  • D. Establishing intimate relationships
  • Answer: B. Learning new skills and competencies
  1. At which stage of Piaget’s theory do children begin to develop the ability to perform operations mentally?
  • A. Sensorimotor
  • B. Preoperational
  • C. Concrete operational
  • D. Formal operational
  • Answer: C. Concrete operational
  1. The concept of “egocentrism” is most closely associated with which stage of Piaget’s cognitive development?
  • A. Sensorimotor
  • B. Preoperational
  • C. Concrete operational
  • D. Formal operational
  • Answer: B. Preoperational
  1. According to Erikson, which of the following is a major challenge of the “intimacy vs. isolation” stage?
  • A. Establishing a personal identity
  • B. Developing meaningful relationships
  • C. Raising children
  • D. Reflecting on one’s life achievements
  • Answer: B. Developing meaningful relationships
  1. What is a major cognitive development during the formal operational stage, according to Piaget?
  • A. Use of logical operations on concrete objects
  • B. Ability to think abstractly and hypothetically
  • C. Development of object permanence
  • D. Use of symbols and words
  • Answer: B. Ability to think abstractly and hypothetically
  1. In Kohlberg’s theory of moral development, at what level do individuals make moral decisions based on the approval of others?
  • A. Preconventional
  • B. Conventional
  • C. Postconventional
  • D. Autonomous
  • Answer: B. Conventional

 

  1. Which of the following best describes the “industry vs. inferiority” stage in Erikson’s theory?
  • A. Developing a sense of trust in caregivers
  • B. Gaining a sense of competence and accomplishment
  • C. Developing a sense of autonomy and independence
  • D. Developing intimate relationships with others
  • Answer: B. Gaining a sense of competence and accomplishment
  1. According to Piaget, the concept of conservation is developed during which stage?
  • A. Sensorimotor
  • B. Preoperational
  • C. Concrete operational
  • D. Formal operational
  • Answer: C. Concrete operational
  1. Which of the following is a key feature of Erikson’s “integrity vs. despair” stage in late adulthood?
  • A. A focus on generativity and creativity
  • B. Reflecting on one’s life and achieving a sense of fulfillment
  • C. Building intimate relationships
  • D. Developing a sense of personal identity
  • Answer: B. Reflecting on one’s life and achieving a sense of fulfillment
  1. In the sensorimotor stage of Piaget’s theory, what is one key developmental milestone?
  • A. Development of abstract thought
  • B. Development of language skills
  • C. Understanding of object permanence
  • D. Ability to perform mental operations
  • Answer: C. Understanding of object permanence
  1. According to Kohlberg’s stages of moral development, individuals at the conventional level of moral reasoning are primarily concerned with:
  • A. Reward and punishment
  • B. Social norms and laws
  • C. Universal ethical principles
  • D. Personal autonomy
  • Answer: B. Social norms and laws

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