ACLP Certification Exam

According to the core principles of Family-Centered Care (FCC), which concept is the most fundamental component?

a. Recognizing that the family is the constant in the child’s life

b. Providing families with unrestricted access to the patient

c. Ensuring all medical decisions are made by the family

d. Offering financial and social support to the entire family unit

A

The 1985 study by Visintainer and Wolfer, which built on earlier research, provided strong evidence for the effectiveness of a multi-component psychological preparation program. The success of this model is primarily attributed to:

a. providing sensory information, procedural information, and stress-point coping instruction

b. the exclusive use of play-based desensitization

c. focusing solely on the parent’s anxiety as the key variable

d. the inclusion of a post-procedural debriefing session for all participants

A

In the context of the ACLP Code of Ethics, the principle of “Beneficence” most accurately requires a Child Life Specialist (CCLS) to:

a. respect the privacy and confidentiality of patients

b. actively promote the well-being of patients and families and prevent harm

c. ensure that personal beliefs do not interfere with professional judgement

d. distrbute child life services fairly and equitably

B

Which theoretical framework best supports the use of “choice” as an intervention to enhance a child’s coping during a medical encounter?

a. Bowlby’s Attachment Theory

b. Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory

c. Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory (specifically self-efficacy)

d. Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development

C

A CCLS is documenting an intervention in a patient’s chart. According to the standards of professional practice, the note must be:

a. Objective, concise, goal-directed, and reflect the patient’s response

b. Subjective, detailed and focused on the family’s emotional state

c. a complete transcript of the conversation held with the child

d. focused only on the positive coping behaviors observed

A

When designing a playroom, the guideline that best promotes its use as a “safe space” is:

a. stocking the room with a 3:1 ratio of unstructured to structured play materials

b. establishing a clear, non-negotiable policy that no medical procedures or exams occur in the playroom

c. limiting access to only patients who are ambulatory and not on isolation

d. painting the walls in primary colors to stimulate cognitive engagement

B

A 3-year-old child, recently hospitalized, is engaging in intense, repetitive, and aggressive play with a doll, yelling, “Stop! Don’t touch me!” and throwing the doll. What is the most appropriate initial response from the CCLS?

a. stop the play and redirect the child to a calming activity like water play

b. Ask the child, “Who are you pretending to be?” to gather more information

c. Re-enter the play by having another doll “come to the hospital” to assess the child’s narrative

d. Use reflective statements, such as “That doll seems very upset,” to validate the expressed emotion

D

A 10-year-old patient with cystic fibrosis consistently “forgets” to do their airway clearance treatments. The CCLS wants to promote adherence. The best initial approach is to:

a. explain in detail the physiological consequences of mucus buildup in the lungs

b. create a sticker chart with a large prize for completing a week of treatments

c. Give the child a blank schedule and ask them to design their own treatment plan, including when and where they will do it.

d. schedule a meeting with the parents and medical team to discuss non-compliance

C

An 11-year-old sibling of a patient in the ED for a traumatic injury is sitting in the waiting room, staring blankly and rhythmically tapping their foot. The most effective initial action by the CCLS is to:

a. Ask the child directly, “Are you okay? You look very scared.”

b. Bring the child a blanket and a bottle of water, stating, “It’s cold in here, I brought you these.”

c. Take the child to a private room and use a ‘feelings chart’ to help them identity their emotions.

d. Immediately begin explaining the ED procedures and what is happening to their sibling.

B

A 14-year-old is refusing to get out of bed or speak to the medical team following a new diagnosis of Crohn’s disease. The patient’s mother is tearfully begging the child to cooperate. The CCLS should first:

a. Ask the mother to step out of the room, then sit quietly by the patient’s bedside and say “You don’t have to talk, but I’m here.”

b. Bring a journal and a pen, place it on the bedside table, and tell the patient they can write or draw if they want to.

c. Validate the patient’s feelings by saying, “This is a really hard day, and it makes sense that you are angry and upset.”

d. Show the patient a video blog from another teen who is living successfully with Crohn’s disease.

A

A CCLS is preparing a 4-year-old for an IV insertion. The child shouts, “No! The needle will make all my blood come out!” This fear is best addressed by:

a. Showing the child the actual needle and catheter to prove how small it is

b. Explaining that the body makes new blood very quickly

c. Using a small, sealed tube of red-colored water and demonstrating only a “Little bit” is needed for the test, just like a “blood sample”

d. Distracting the child immediately with an iPad and bubble wand.

C

A patient dies in a semi-private, two-bed room. The other patient, a 9-year-old, was present. After the family of the deceased child has left and the patient has been moved, the CCLS’s priority is to:

a. Move the 9-year-old to a new room immediately to protect them from further trauma

b. Explain to the 9-year-old that their roommate’s body “stopped working” and that it is okay to be sad.

c. Notify the 9-year-old’s parents and ask them what they want their child to be told

d. Sit with the 9-year-old and ask open-ended questions, such as, “That was a very had thing to see. What are you thinking about right now?”

D

A CCLS observes a new nurse telling a 6-year-old, “If you don’t hold still for this shot, I’’ll have to get a helper to hold you down!” The most appropriate immediate action for the CCLS is to:

a. Wait until the nurse leaves and report their threatening language to the unit manage.

b. Intervene by saying “Let’s try a new comfort position. Can you sit on mom’s lap and give her a big hug?”

c. Tell the child, “The nurse is just trying to help you. Let’s be brave.”

d. Ask the nurse to leave and request a different nurse to administer the shot

B

A 17-year-old patient has been on the oncology unit for 6 months. They are withdrawn, and their room is dark. The most effective intervention to address their developmental need for independence is:

a. bringing a new video game system to their room for distraction

b. Collaborating with the medical team to create a “contract” that allows the patient to schedule their own medication times within a set window

c. Strongly encouraging them to attend the weekly teen support group

d. Decorating their room with posters and lights to make it more cheerful

B

A hospital is planning to acquire a new, state-of-the-art MRI machine. The Child Life team is asked for input on the design. Which recommendation addresses the most significant psychosocial stressor for pediatric patients?

a. Recommending a large budget for child-friendly themes and painted murals in the MRI suite

b. Advocating for a sound system that allows patients to listen to their own music via headphones

c. Prioritizing the purchase of a mock MRI scanner model for pre-scan preparation and desensitization

d. Ensuring the control room has a large, clear window for parents to watch the scan

C

A 7-year-old patient with no prior admissions is hospitalized for a severe asthma attack. A 7-year-old patient with sickle cell disease is admitted for a pain crisis, their 10th admission. In contrasting the assessment priorities for these two children, the CCLS must:

a. Assume the sickle cell patient needs less preparation due to experience, focusing instead on the asthma patient’s new diagnosis

b. Prioritize assessing the asthma patient’s separation anxiety and the sickle cell patient’s rapport with specific staff

c. Focus on the asthma patient’s medical misconceptions and the sickle cell patient’s coping regression

d. Evaluate the asthma patient’s understanding of triggers, while first assessing the sickle cell patient’s past effective coping strategies and “stuck points.”

D

A hospital’s patient satisfaction scores for “pain management” are low. The CCLS is asked to join a quality improvement committee. Which contribution from the CCLS would be the most effective and systemic?

a. Committing to providing non-pharmacological distraction for 100% painful procedures

b. Creating a formal training program for nursing staff on patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) and the “one-voice” approach

c. Developing a new “comfort kit” for every patient admitted to the hospital

d. Lobbying for a dedicated CCLS position in the surgical unit

B

A 5-year-old from a Jehovah’s Witness family requires a blood transfusion, which the parents are refusing based on religious beliefs. The medical team is pursuing a court order. The most critical role of the CCLS in this situation is to:

a. Try to convince the parents that the transfusion is medically necessary for their child.

b. Explain the parents’ religious beliefs to the medical team to foster understanding

c. Provide emotional support to the child and family, acknowledging their distress without taking a side in the ethical conflict

d. Find a different CCLS who shares the family’s religious beliefs to take over the case

C

A Child Life program has a $5,000 budget deficit. The manager proposes eliminating the internship program for one year to save money. Which argument is the strongest analysis for the CCLS to present against this?

a. The interns are a source of new ideas and energy for the existing team

b. Eliminating the program violates the ACLP’s ethical principle of contributing to the profession

c. Interns provide a significant number of direct service hours, and their absence would lead to a quantifiable reduction in patient services

d. The hospital’s reputation as a teaching institution would be damaged

C

A CCLS is reviewing a research article about the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) for procedural pain. The study concludes VR is highly effective. To best analyze the validity of this study for their own practice, the CCLS must first check the article for:

a. The number of participants (sample size) in the study

b. The specific brand and cost of VR equipment used

c. The credentials and university affiliation of the primary author

d. The description of the control group (e.g., standard care) and the randomization process

D

A 9-year-old patient is participating in the hospital-based school program. A teacher asks the CCLS for details about the child’s recent procedure to “better understand their mood.” Which two US federal laws most directly govern the sharing of this specific information between the CCLS and the teacher?

a. HIPAA and the Child Abuse and Treatment Act (CAPTA)

b. The Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA) and HIPAA

c. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and FERPA

d. HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) and FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)

D

When using the Stress Potential Assessment Process (SPAR), which variable is considered a primary source of information for evaluating a child’s potential stress?

a. The child’s gender and socioeconomic status

b. The child’s past healthcare experiences and coping

c. The specific diagnosis, regardless of acuity

d. The number of siblings the child has

B

Which statement best defines “therapeutic play” in a child life context?

a. Play that is directed by an adult to achieve a specific, pre-determined behavioral goal

b. Play that facilitates expression, coping, and mastery, where the process is more important than any specific outcome

c. Any play activity that successfully distracts a child from pain or anxiety

d. Play that uses only medical equipment to desensitize a child

B

The child life specialist provides a 5-year-old patient with clay, markers, and plain paper. According to Bolig’s types of play, this best exemplifies which category?

a. Creative and expressive

b. Diversionary and recreational

c. Therapeutic and medical

d. Dramatic and role-play

A

According to Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development, the primary developmental task for a 16-year-old patient is:

a. Trust vs. Mistrust

b. Industry vs. Inferiority

c. Identity vs. Role Confusion

d. Intimacy vs. Isolation

C

A CCLS has worked with a family for two years through their child’s chronic illness. Upon discharge, the mother offers the CCLS a job as her child’s private nanny. According to the ACLP Code of Ethics, accepting this offer would most directly violate the principle related to:

a. Professional boundaries and avoiding exploitation

b. Competence

c. Confidentiality

d. Professional development

A

An 8-year-old is 12 hours post-appendectomy. He is refusing his scheduled dose of oral pain medication, stating “I don’t need it. It’s fine.” He is grimacing and guarding his abdomen. The CCLS should first:

a. Explain to the child that the pain will get worse if he doesn’t take the medicine

b. Tell the parents to encourage the child to take the medicine

c. Validate his desire for control, saying, “it feels good to be in charge of your body. Can we make a plan with the nurse for when you might want it?”

d. Use a ‘pain scale’ to show him that his face does not match his words.

C

A 5-year-old patient with selective mutism needs a blood draw. The child will not speak to the CCLS. To best assess the child’s understanding and fears, the CCLS should:

a. ask the parent what the child is afraid of

b. use a set of emotion-based cards and ask the child to point to the one they are feeling

c. postpone the preparation until the child is willing to talk

d. provide a doll and medical equipment and observe the child’s non-verbal play narrative

D

A CCLS discovers that a colleague from their department is posting vague, non-identifying updates about a “very sad case” on their personal, but public, social media account. The most appropriate initial action for the CCLS is to:

a. speak to the colleague privately, expressing concern about the post and reminding them of hospital policy and ethical guidelines on confidentiality

b. Report the colleague to the hospital’s compliance officer

c. Add a public comment to the post reminding the colleague that this is unprofessional

D. Ignore the post, as no specific patient information (PHI) was shared.

A

A 6-year-old patient is in skeletal traction and must remain flat on their back, limiting their participation in playroom activities. The most effective intervention to promote normalization is:

a. Bringing a large assortment of coloring books and markers to the bedside

b. Explaining to the child that they will be able to go to the playroom once they are better

c. Arranging for a hospital teacher to visit daily to focus on schoolwork

d. Using a projector to host a “virtual” playroom game (like I-Spy or bingo) that the child can participate in from their bed

D.

A CCLS is preparing a 6-year-old with an intellectual disability (ID) and a typically developing 6-year-old for the same procedure. The CCLS must prioritize

a. Assuming the child with ID will be non-compliant, while the typically developing child will be cooperative.

b. Using a comfort position for the child with ID and a distraction-based plan for the typically developing child

c. Assessing the child with ID based on their developmental stage (not chronological age), while assessing the typically developing child for magical thinking

d. Relying solely on the parent’s report for the child with ID, while using a pre-assessment tool for the typically developing child

D

A child life manager is advocating for $10,000 to renovate the adolescent lounge, but a hospital administrator argues the money is better spent on the toddler playroom. The strongest evidence-based argument for the manager to make is:

a. The adolescent lounge is larger, so it costs more to maintain

b. Peer-group connection and a “non-medical” space are critical for adolescent coping and identity, and their absence is a direct contributor to non-compliance and withdrawal

c. Adolescents are more likely to damage hospital property if they are bored

d. The toddler playroom was renovated 5 years ago, while the teen lounge has not been updated in 10 years.

D

A child life specialist can assist hospital personnel in better understanding pediatric patients’ emotions and behaviors by:

a. Blowing bubbles for patients during IV starts

b. Creating a patient graffiti board in the hallway

c. Encouraging patients to participate in playroom activities

d. Educate staff to avoid the use of empathetic statements with their patients

B

The purpose of quality management activities is to:

a. Establish a system of formal record keeping for a child life program

b. Professionalize child life services

c. Assure high quality, cost-effective child life care

d. Document established child life practices, beliefs, and philosophies that have not been adequately evaluated

C

All of the following will come from the use statistics, numerical analysis, and record keeping except:

a. Components of rewriting job descriptions

b. Professionalization of child life services

c. Increased efficiency of child life services

d. Usefulness for staff feedback and review

A

What is the MOST important consideration when a policy is written concerning playroom use?

a. Safety of the patient

b. Retention of toys and equipment

c. Needs of healthcare team

d. Child life staff schedule

A

When creating child life care plans, it is ESSENTIAL to:

a. Utilize a patient classification system

b. Inform the child and family about your care plan

c. Document any modifications made to the original care plan

d. View child and family as integral members of the healthcare team

D

Important guidelines to consider when promoting and enhancing interdisciplinary collaboration include all of the following EXCEPT:

a. Waiting for other disciplines to approach you for information gathering

b. Recognizing the professional limits and boundaries of child life

c. Providing in-service education to hospital staff

d. Being receptive to the observations and assessments of professionals from other disciplines

A

Which behavior displays ethical conduct that includes family-centered care and professional boundaries?

a. Coming in on your day off at the request of the patient and family

b. Supporting the family’s request by encouraging that only one particular nurse start the patient’s IVs

c. Communicating the family’s needs to the healthcare team based on your observations

d. Conveying support while affirming the patient and family’s abilities

D

A research study examining the average number of pediatric admissions for strabismus would be considered:

a. Descriptive

b. Longitudinal

c. Inferential

d. Correlational

D. A suite of statistics that summarize the characteristics and distribution of a set of data values (min, max, range, mean, mode, SD)

Research indicates that children in which of the following age groups are MOST vulnerable to psychological stress when hospitalized

a. 0-6 months

b. 7 months - 4 years

c. 5-9 years

d. 10 - 14 years

B

All of the following are major areas of assessment for staff evaluation EXCEPT the assessment of the individual’s:

a. Work with children

b. Knowledge base and ability to put knowledge into practice

c. Ability to successfully fundraise

d. Growth and contribution to the department and to the institution

C

When initially discussing expectations for performance with volunteers or students, it’s important that:

a. Volunteers and students are encouraged to set their own expectations

b. Volunteers and students are informed that failure to improve their skills on a continual basis is case for dismissal

c. Performance standards presented to volunteers and students are based on program objectives

d. Foreseeable situations be discussed with the individual

C

An essential component of any student or volunteer orientation is a(n):

a. Icebreaking activity that encourage bonding

b. Handbook of the material covered

c. Test used to screen potentially ineffective students or volunteers

d. All of the above

B

To determine whether a child life care plan needs to be modified, it is important to evaluate whether the current plan has been effective. To evaluate this, it is essential that:

a. The initial child life plan for intervention includes an outcome objective

b. A formal assessment tool be used

c. Direct feedback is received from the patient or parents

d. The patient’s and family’s progress be documented

A

A child with a new diagnosis is having a difficult time with IV starts. To assist with coping effort, the child life specialist would prepare him/her for the medical procedure by:

a. Watching a video about coming to the hospital

b. Choosing his favorite nurse to do the procedure

c. Having the procedure in his room because he’s comfortable there

d. Offering choices about what he will do during the procedure

D

To know whether a child life care plan needs to be modified, it is important to:

a. Administer a formal assessment tool on a weekly basis

b. Understand that the assessment process is ongoing, dynamic, and interactive

c. Complete a patient classification form on a daily basis

d. Ask parents to complete a questionnaire regarding their child’s progress on a weekly basis

B

According to John Bowlby, well-known researcher and theorist on separation and loss, the PRINCIPAL factor in reducing a child’s susceptibility to fear and anxiety is:

a. Prior experience

b. Expressive abilities

c. The presence of an attachment figure

d. Preparation

C

You are planning to prepare and tour an eight-year-old prior to surgery for a craniotomy. You proceed by:

a. Selecting materials to match the child’s developmental level and experience

b. Assessing the child’s present knowledge, understanding, appraisal of situation

c. Providing information about what the child will experience

d. Discussing interventions that parents can use with siblings related to the patient’s appearance post-surgery

B

A baby has died from complications of a congenital heart defect. He has two older sisters, a four-year-old and a six-year-old. The siblings are not present at the hospital at the time of the baby’s death. As the child life specialist, your BEST action would be to:

a. Provide the family with the names and numbers of counselors in their geographic area who could help the siblings

b. Provide the family with resources that explain children’s developmental responses/reactions to death

c. Call the chaplain to provide the intervention for the family

d. Call the family’s pastor to express your concerns for the siblings

B

Key elements of communicating complete, accurate information about an impending medical procedure include all of the following EXCEPT:

a. Learning about the procedure

b. Determining what information to share with the child and family

c. Explaining the sequence of events

d. Rehearsing the planned approach for the education prior to meeting the family

D

In preparation for day surgery, school-age children are shown a video depicting a child of similar age going through events associated with surgery. This approach to preparation is an example of:

a. Sensory information

b. Stress-point preparation

c. Rehearsal

d. Modeling

D

When preparing children for healthcare experiences, the child life specialist should:

a. Provide honest, accurate information using age-appropriate language

b. Use medical terminology so that children can be come accustomed to this language

c. Omit descriptions that may be stressful for a child to listen to even if the child will experience the sensation

d. Provide information even if the child seems reluctant to hear it, because it will benefit the child later

A

When parents are provided with information and emotional support, the MOST likely result is that their:

a. Children will regress

b. Anxiety and discomfort will decrease

c. Fears will disappear

B

After going through the census, you notice there are a lot of school-age children on the unit. What is the appropriate activity for you to plan in the playroom?

a. A group discussion to talk about their feelings

b. A mural they can all paint together

c. Playdough and the water table

d. Puppets and costumes from the pretend corner

B

When evaluating the outcome of Child Life services for a particular patient, collaboration with other healthcare professionals is essential to:

a. Ensure that they are following through your expectations

b. Share observations and concerns

c. Obtain each professional’s opinion regarding child’s behavior

d. Share personal opinions regarding the child’s support system

B

Seeking feedback from children regarding their experiences (e.g., following a preparation session and medical procedure) can help to develop self-evaluation skills when:

a. The CLS uses the information to evaluate and modify their own interventions

b. The CLS remembers to write a comprehensive follow-up

c. The CLS decides that the child will be able to cope effectively without child life assistance in the future

d. Opportunities arise to correct the child’s misconceptions

A

Which of the following methods is NOT a good way to evaluate outcomes following the hospitalization of a two-year-old?

a. Follow the child when he/she comes back to the clinic after discharge and observe play

b. Instruct parents to minimize the discussion of hospitalization

c. Be alert and attend to post-hospital emotional distress

d. Assign a member of the psychosocial team to make a follow-up telephone call to the family

B

A CLS reads a story to a child during a painful procedure. What type of coping strategy does this intervention represent?

a. Distraction

b. Guided imagery

c. Denial

d. Modeling

A

Which of the following characterizes a preschool child’s thinking about death?

a. Feel responsible for a death

b. Understand the physiological cause of death

c. Empathizes with feelings of other family members

d. Comprehends death is final

A

According to the ACCH Child Life Research Project, hospitalized children who participate in child life activities were shown to:

a. Experience less emotional stress and exhibit more coping mechanisms than children in the control group

b. Take longer to void for the first time after surgery

c. Be discharged four days earlier than the control group

d. Have parents who experienced no stress

A

According to Erikson, the BEST way to encourage a toddler in traction to develop autonomy is to:

a. Ensure the child has TV

b. Provide the child with choices in daily activities

c. Encourage the child to look at picture books quietly in bed

d. Provide only bedside activities

B

A toddler may react to the death of a family member by:

a. Thinking she will get the illness as punishment for her thoughts or actions if she becomes seriously ill

b. Fearing she may contract the disease

c. Acting as though the person is still alive

d. Questioning what happens to the body

C

An APIE model useful in delivering CL services includes which of the following components?

a. Assessment, plan, intervention, evaluation

b. Assessment, programming, identification, education

c. Accountability, productivity, instruction, and enrichment

d. Activity, preparation, instruction, and evaluation

A

Infants PRIMARILY use and understand nonverbal communication as a means:

a. To gain the attention of the caregiver

b. To communicate their needs to their caregiver

c. To respond to nonverbal behavior of the caregiver by becoming quiet when cuddled or patted

d. Derive comfort from physical and auditory interventions

B - They cannot tell us what they need, so they show us; the goal is to communicate needs to caregivers

A four-year-old yells at a doll during medical play and accuses it of being “bad".” He recently had an IV placed in his foot. What is your assessment of the child"?

a. He is trying to gain his parents’ attention

b. He has a misconception about the purpose of the IV

c. He believes that bad behavior results in physical punishment

d. He is expressing feelings related to his experience

D - when a child in medical play acts angry, makes the doll cry, gives the doll the procedure, says things like “you’re bad,” think “The child is communicating feelings and attempting to process/master the experience.”

Considering specific idiosyncratic issues while developing a school-age patient’s care plan requires:

a. Assessing the preferred coping style

b. Understanding the patient’s relationship to the school experience

c. Knowing the anticipated outcome of the particular medical intervention prior to the care plan development

d. Creating a care plan that enables the patient to take responsibility for a younger patient

A

You receive a report that a 6-year-old is going to have an IV placed in 30 minutes. The nurse reports that this is the patient’s first hospitalization, and he is diagnosed with gastroenteritis. Based on stress point care, you are aware this procedure has the potential to overwhelm the child’s coping resources. You respond by letting the nurse know that you plan to:

a. Make a full assessment and follow-up with appropriate interventions

b. Provide medical play

c. Grab your medical play kit and distraction box to prepare this patient

d. Use the 30 minutes to teach the child about procedure and ways to cope

A

A family declines a surgical preparation after you explain the use of age-appropriate information and benefits. Nursing expresses frustration and asks what they can do to help the child. The BEST choice to encourage the family is to:

a. Have the doctor encourage the family to use Child Life services

b. Provide emotional support to the patient and family

c. Provide the family with literature on the benefits of preparation

d. Have the nurse prepare the patient

B

A care plan should be developed jointly by the child, family, and healthcare team for all of the following purposes EXCEPT:

a. Addressing needs during hospitalization only

b. Providing a record of the family’s concerns, priorities, and resources

c. Providing a complete, integrated picture of the child

d. Serving as a foundation for family-centered care coordination

A

A patient classification system is NOT a:

a. Form of a structural assessment tool

b. Method for prioritizing care of patients

c. Tool for developing patient care plans

d. Way to determine the degree of the child life care needed to reach goals

A

One of the MOST effective ways to develop and maintain a supportive relationship with a family is to:

a. Intervene in problems the family has with other team members

b. Make sure the CLS can be reached by the family at all times

c. Share information with family members about all aspects of the child’s healthcare experiences

d. Ensure the child takes part in a variety of special events

C

Early and continual assessment of the child’s and family’s medical and psychosocial situation is necessary to:

a. Find the best ways to help reduce stress and promote coping

b. Create a positive professional image

c. Determine if the parents understand their child’s prognosis

d. Support the continued interventions of child life staff

A

The purpose of child and family observation is to:

a. Assess the child’s developmental age

b. Determine the strengths/coping techniques already in place for the child and family

c. Gather data and information relevant to determining their unmet psychosocial needs

d. Begin developing a relationship with the family that is based on trust

C

According to James Robertson, the sequence of reactions of young children to separation from primary caregivers is:

a. Sadness, anger, depression

b. Protest, despair, and detachment

c. Regression, rage, sadness

d. Anger, longing, hopelessness

B

When observing reactions of young children to hospitalization, a CLS will notice that:

a. Vary in both character and intensity

b. Are easily detachable by a child life specialist

c. To hospitalization are negative

d. To hospitalization are regressive in nature

A

A five-year-old who is subjected to repeated frustration, confinement, and painful experiences is MOST likely to experience:

a. Shame and doubt

b. Inferiority

c. Guilt

d. Mistrust

C

While in the CLS presence, a terminally ill child asks a healthcare staff member, “Am I going to die?” The child’s parents have expressed an unwillingness to discuss death with the child. In this situation, the CLS’s NEXT response should be:

a. Inform the staff member about the parent’s views

b. Further explore the child’s understanding

c. Utilize bibliotherapy with the child

d. Make a referral to pastoral care

B

According to Erikson, which age group may view hospitalization as a threat to a sense of accomplishment?

a. 2-4 year olds

b. 4-7 year olds

c. 7-11 year olds

d. 12-19 year olds

C

The BEST example of adolescent egocentrism in healthcare is:

a. Rejecting adult staff members

b. Displaying a lack of empathy for other patients

c. Believing others are preoccupied with his/her appearance

d. Requesting special attention and favors

C

A 6-year-old child who has been in a rehabilitation unit for 2 months after suffering traumatic injuries in a care accident draws a family portrait that does not include herself; the child life specialist should:

a. Suggest to the child that she include herself

b. Ask the child to talk about the picture

c. Recommend a psychological assessment

d. Assure the child that she is still a part of the her family

B

When people are under high levels of stress, their ability to process new information may be:

a. Enhanced

b. Impaired

c. Desensitized

B

A child repeatedly asks questions during a blood draw. According to Lazarus, this behavior is best identified as:

a. Primary appraisal

b. Problem-focused coping

c. Emotion-focused coping

d. Secondary appraisal

B

Which of the following is an accurate statement about the sequence of physiological development of motor skills?

a. Motor development begins when the child reaches age 6 months

b. The development sequence is disordered in children with ceberal palsy

c. Motor development proceeds from the head downward to the lower body, and from the center of the body outward to the extremities

d. The development sequence is determined by which of the child’s hands will eventually become dominant

C

After working on an individual school project for weeks, a patient learns that hospitalization will prevent its completion. According to the work of Erikson, at which stage is a child most likely to be distressed by this situation?

a. Autonomy vs. shame and doubt

b. Industry vs. Inferiority

c. Identity vs. role confusion

d. Initiative vs. guilt

B

According to the theories related to body image, at what age would female patients be expected to be most distressed upon learning that required chemotherapy is likely to cause hair loss?

a. 7 years old

b. 10 years old

c. 14 years old

d. 20 years old

C

Knowledge of the child’s temperament provided by the parents generally:

a. May reflect the child’s behavior when healthy, but is likely to have little or no relation to behavior in the hospital

b. Offers helpful information about preschool children but little help for understanding children of other ages

c. Must be viewed caution, as parents are biased and subjective to their comments

d. Can provide CLS with valuable clues as to how to interact with child

D

When talking to parents in a healthcare setting, the CLS should:

a. Be accepting of silence

b. Refrain from asking questions

c. Talk about one’s own experience

d. Give advice and offer suggestions

A

The most critical factor associated with a child’s vulnerability to the stresses of hospitalization is the:

a. Age of the patient

b. Level of family support

c. Medical condition

d. Length of hospital stay

A

An accurate statement about emotional distress is that it is:

a. Experienced by fewer hospitalized children today than in the past

b. Seen frequently in the hospital but rarely observed after discharge

c. Common during the period of hospitalization and following discharge

d. Most severe in chronically ill children

C

Preschool children typically conceptualize illness as something:

a. Located inside the body

b. Caused by proximity or magic

c. Linked to death

d. Caused by physical contact with a person or object

B

Which of the following statements most supports the use of temperament theory and its dimensions in child life assessments?

a. The CLS should consider a cognitive-affective approach with an angry child

b. Temperamental child requires focused behavioral interventions

c. Interventions consistent with the child’s temperament are more likely to have a successful outcome

d. Behaviors and anxieties of parents are transmitted to their child and must be considered

C

Which are some suggested age appropriate coping techniques for infants?":

a. Hand held games, guided imagery

b. counting, deep breathing exercises

c. Pacifiers, touch, music, comfort item

d. Pop-up books, hand holding

C

Which statement is true about non-directive medical play?:

a. Medical play and preparation are synonymous

b. The adult should follow the child’s lead

c. The play is accompanied by positive affect and is not intense or aggressive

d. The child should be the one to initiate it

B

The person primarily credited with the development of the child life role is;

a. Gene Stanford

b. Thelma Cooper

c. Emma Plank

d. Anna Freud

C

When preparing a child for a medical procedure, a CLS should select which of the following age-appropriate materials:

a. Photographs

b. Dolls

c. Actual medical equipment

d. All of the above

D

Which of the following would be most useful in helping a child work through a just-completed medical procedure?

a. A visit to the activity center

b. Separation play

c. Interacting with peers

d. Medical play

D

When providing preparation for a medical procedure, the CLS should always:

a. Contact the hospital administrator

b. Provide accurate and developmentally appropriate explanations

c. Explain the information to the siblings

d. Tour the hospital setting

B

A CLS should play for a child when the child is:

a. Is either too ill, physically unable, or withdrawn to engage in play

b. Has exhibited inappropriate play behavior

c. Expresses feelings of inadequacy about performance on a game or porject

d. Has limited social skills and refused to interact with others

A

The use of preparation materials varies from child to child. When preparing a child for a procedure, a CLS should not include which of the following:

a. Cloth doll

b. Medical equipment

c. Photos of the family dog

d. Pre-hospital coloring book

C