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NCLEX · Growth and Development

A parent asks what the maximum safe temperature for a water heater should be to prevent childhood scalding injuries. What does the nurse recommend?

Reviewed by Jordan Morley, Editorial Lead at 247SimpleTests. Written by the 247SimpleTests Editorial Team from the official source material cited on every question.

Correct answer

120°F (49°C)

  1. A 120°F (49°C)
  2. B 140°F (60°C)
  3. C 110°F (43°C)
  4. D 130°F (54°C)

Why this is the answer

120°F (49°C) is the recommended maximum water heater setting to prevent scalding burns in children. At 140°F, scalding occurs in 5 seconds; at 120°F, it takes approximately 5 minutes — providing time to react. Young children have thinner, more sensitive skin and cannot react as quickly as adults. This is a standard anticipatory guidance recommendation at well-child visits for families with young children or elderly family members (also at higher scalding risk). LPN role: deliver this preventive education at appropriate well-child visits.
Source: NCLEX-PN HP — Child Safety, Scalding Prevention

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About this topic: Growth and Development

Growth and development questions cover developmental milestones from infancy to adolescence, Erikson's stages, and the anticipatory guidance an LPN/LVN gives parents at each age. This is one of 13 PN: Health Promotion and Maintenance questions on growth and development, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

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