A child with Down syndrome is having a well-child check-up. What is the best way for the nurse to assess this child’s developmental milestones?
Have the child demonstrate psychomotor skills
Plot the milestones on a growth chart
Assess the sequence of the milestones
Assess the age at which each milestone occurred
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason: Demonstrating psychomotor skills assesses current abilities but not the timing of milestone achievement, which is critical in Down syndrome due to frequent developmental delays. Focusing only on current skills misses the pattern of delay, making this less effective for tracking developmental progress.
Choice B reason: Growth charts track physical growth (height, weight), not developmental milestones like language or motor skills. In Down syndrome, milestones are delayed, and assessing their timing is key, not plotting on a growth chart, making this an incorrect method for developmental assessment.
Choice C reason: Assessing the sequence of milestones ensures they follow a typical order but does not account for the delayed timing common in Down syndrome. Knowing when milestones were achieved provides a clearer picture of developmental progress, making this a less precise assessment method.
Choice D reason: Assessing the age at which milestones occurred is the best method for Down syndrome, as children often achieve milestones later than peers. Tracking timing identifies delays, guides interventions, and monitors progress, aligning with developmental surveillance needs for this population, making it the correct approach.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: The school-age stage applies to families with children primarily aged 6-12 years. While the 8-year-old fits this stage, the family also includes a 2-year-old (preschool) and a 14-year-old (adolescent), spanning multiple developmental stages, making this an incorrect choice for the family’s overall stage.
Choice B reason: The adolescent stage focuses on families with children aged 13-18 years. Although the 14-year-old is an adolescent, the presence of a 2-year-old and an 8-year-old indicates the family spans preschool, school-age, and adolescent stages, making this an incomplete description of the family’s developmental stage.
Choice C reason: The preschool stage involves families with children aged 3-5 years. The 2-year-old is close to this stage, but the 8-year-old (school-age) and 14-year-old (adolescent) place the family across multiple developmental stages, making preschool stage an incorrect choice for the family’s overall development.
Choice D reason: Family development theory recognizes mixed developmental stages when children span multiple age groups. With a 2-year-old (toddler/preschool), 8-year-old (school-age), and 14-year-old (adolescent), the family navigates diverse developmental needs, making this the correct stage to describe their current developmental dynamics.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Stating there is no cure for autism is accurate, but claiming a poor prognosis for independent living is overly pessimistic and incorrect. Many individuals with autism achieve varying degrees of independence with tailored interventions, making this response discouraging and not reflective of current management approaches.
Choice B reason: Autism management focuses on individualized interventions, such as behavioral therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy, to optimize the child’s functional abilities. This approach supports developmental progress, social skills, and independence, aligning with evidence-based practices for autism spectrum disorder, making it the best and most accurate response.
Choice C reason: Stimulant medications and antipsychotics are not always included in autism treatment. They may be used for specific symptoms (e.g., hyperactivity, aggression) but are not universal. Autism management prioritizes behavioral and developmental therapies, making this statement inaccurate and overly prescriptive for a 4-year-old’s treatment plan.
Choice D reason: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is not the mainstay for autism, especially in a 4-year-old, as it requires cognitive skills not yet developed. Behavioral interventions like Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) are more common, focusing on skill-building, making CBT an incorrect primary treatment choice for autism management.
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