Pediatric ATI Practice Exam

What developmental milestone should be observed in a 4-year-old child during a well-child visit?

1. Begins to ride a bicycle

2. Completes a puzzle with four pieces

3. Cuts a shape using scissors

4. Draws a recognizable human figure

The correct answer is: Cuts a shape using scissors

A 4-year-old child is expected to have refined their fine motor skills significantly, which includes the ability to cut basic shapes using scissors. At this age, many children can manipulate scissors with relative ease, demonstrating good hand-eye coordination and dexterity, which are crucial for this task. Cutting shapes not only showcases their ability to control scissors but also reflects their growing independence and coordination skills. Completing a puzzle with four pieces may not be as indicative of the developmental milestone compared to using scissors, as many children around this age can manage such simple puzzles. Similarly, drawing a recognizable human figure is generally expected to emerge around 5 to 6 years of age, indicating that while some children may start attempting this slightly earlier, it is not a consistent milestone for all 4-year-olds. Riding a bicycle typically occurs at an older age when a child has developed further balance and motor skills. Thus, the ability to cut shapes using scissors accurately aligns more closely with the developmental milestones for a 4-year-old child.