A nurse is assessing an adolescent client for potential risk factors of injury. Which finding should the nurse prioritize?

Choice A reason: Summarizing allows the nurse to clarify understanding and ensure the client’s concerns have been accurately heard, enhancing effective communication.

Choice B reason: Asking relevant questions helps gather necessary information while demonstrating interest in the client’s perspective, fostering engagement and trust.

Choice C reason: Paraphrasing demonstrates understanding and validates the client’s feelings, helping to ensure the client feels heard and supported.

Choice D reason: Active listening involves fully focusing on the client’s words and nonverbal cues, promoting a therapeutic relationship and accurate assessment.

Choice E reason: Giving advice is generally not a therapeutic communication technique, as it may impose the nurse’s perspective rather than supporting the client’s autonomy.

Choice A reason: Suggesting that lack of bonding or feeding methods cause ASD is inaccurate and perpetuates stigma. Research has consistently shown that parenting styles or feeding practices do not cause autism. This response would increase guilt and distress for the mother.

Choice B reason: Stating that the mother plays a greater role than the father in ASD development is misleading and harmful. It reinforces blame and is not supported by scientific evidence. Autism is linked to neurodevelopmental abnormalities, not parental roles.

Choice C reason: While the etiology of ASD is not fully understood, linking it to fetal alcohol syndrome is speculative and not evidence-based. This response could confuse the mother and increase unnecessary guilt.

Choice D reason: This is the most appropriate reply because it reassures the mother that her parenting did not cause autism. It provides accurate information that ASD is associated with brain structure and function abnormalities, emphasizing that it is beyond parental control. This reduces guilt and supports emotional coping.