A nurse is preparing to reinforce discharge teaching for an adolescent who has a cognitive disorder and their parents. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A. Developmental stressors are expected life changes that occur as part of normal growth and development, such as starting school, adolescence, marriage, or retirement. These are predictable transitions rather than unexpected events.

B. Cultural stressors arise when a person experiences conflict between their own cultural values and those of another culture, such as during acculturation or language barriers. These stressors are not typically related to the work environment.

C. Situational stressors are unexpected or unpredictable events that can disrupt an individual’s routine or sense of stability. Work-related stress, financial strain, or illness are common examples. These stressors depend on the circumstances rather than the stage of development.

D. Adventitious stressors occur as a result of rare, unexpected disasters or crises such as natural catastrophes (earthquakes, floods) or violent events (assault, terrorism). These situations cause trauma but are unrelated to everyday work stress.

A. Waiting silently without responding may seem polite but does not demonstrate engagement or understanding; active listening involves feedback and interaction.
B. Thinking about what to say next distracts the listener and prevents full attention to the speaker’s message, which undermines active listening.
C. Maintaining eye contact, nodding, and summarizing key points are core components of active listening. These behaviors show attentiveness, validate the speaker’s message, and ensure mutual understanding during communication.
D. Interrupting to offer advice before the speaker finishes is disrespectful and prevents the listener from fully understanding the message, which disrupts effective communication.