The practical nurse (PN) observes an infant searching for a fallen toy. According to Piaget, which additional finding should the PN correlate with this developmental stage?

A. Visible or audible separation anxiety: Searching for a fallen toy indicates that the infant has developed object permanence, a concept from Piaget’s sensorimotor stage (typically around 8–12 months). At this stage, infants begin to understand that people and objects continue to exist even when out of sight, leading to visible signs of separation anxiety. B. Exploration beyond caregiver presence: This occurs later in toddlerhood, during the preoperational stage, when children develop greater autonomy and confidence. Infants with newly developed object permanence still rely heavily on the caregiver’s presence for security and comfort. C. Comprehension of simple commands: Understanding and responding to simple verbal directions usually emerge after the first year of life, as language and cognitive skills advance beyond the early sensorimotor period. It is not associated with the stage of object permanence. D. Ability to place objects in a container: This fine motor milestone develops slightly later, closer to 12–15 months, when hand-eye coordination improves. It reflects motor development rather than a specific cognitive milestone of object permanence.