Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN)

What would a nurse expect a 4-month-old to do?

1. Sit alone

2. Attempt to roll over

3. Begin to crawl

4. Grasp feet and pull them to mouth

The correct answer is: Attempt to roll over

At four months of age, a child is typically in a stage of development where they begin to show increased muscle control and coordination. One of the key milestones for infants around this age is the ability to attempt rolling over. This indicates that they are gaining strength in their neck and back muscles, allowing them to move beyond simply lying flat. The ability to roll over often starts with infants moving from their stomach to their back. They might not yet be proficient but will show clear attempts as they explore their body's capabilities. This movement is a significant part of their motor development as it sets the groundwork for later skills such as crawling and sitting. In contrast, at this age, infants are not yet able to sit up independently or crawl. While they may show interest in their feet and try pulling them to their mouth, this skill is typically seen a little later as their coordination continues to develop. Thus, the expectation of an infant at this age aligns with the ability to attempt rolling over, making this the most accurate choice.