Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

Lack of responsiveness by caregivers to a child's cues can potentially lead to which disorder?

1. Attention deficit disorder

2. Reactive attachment disorder

3. Generalized anxiety disorder

4. Social phobia

The correct answer is: Reactive attachment disorder

The correct answer is that lack of responsiveness by caregivers to a child's cues can potentially lead to reactive attachment disorder. This disorder is characterized by a child's inability to form healthy attachments with caregivers, specifically due to neglect, inconsistent caregiving, or a lack of emotional attunement. When caregivers do not respond to a child's needs—whether they be emotional, physical, or social—the child may develop an insecure attachment style, which can result in reactive attachment disorder. In this context, a child's formative experiences are crucial for their emotional and social development. Consistent, responsive caregiving fosters a sense of safety and security in children, which is essential for healthy relationships later in life. Conversely, when caregivers are unresponsive, children may struggle to form trusting relationships, leading to difficulties in emotional regulation and social interactions characteristic of reactive attachment disorder. Other disorders listed, such as attention deficit disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and social phobia, can also be influenced by a child's early environment, but they are more related to different underlying mechanisms. For instance, attention deficit disorder involves issues with attention and hyperactivity that aren't directly linked to caregiver responsiveness in the same way. Generalized anxiety disorder and social phobia pertain more to anxiety responses that can arise from various factors