A nurse is responding to a parent of an adolescent who was recently diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder following a sexual assault.The parent mentions that their child has been experimenting with drugs. Why would they be doing this?

Choice A rationale

Insisting on having their own way when playing with friends is a common behavior among children and is not necessarily related to a traumatic experience. It could be a sign of a strong personality or a phase of development where the child is learning about power and control.
Choice B rationale
Crying because they are the smallest child in their class is more likely related to self-esteem or body image issues. This behavior is not typically associated with experiencing a traumatic event like a house fire.
Choice C rationale
Being rude to siblings when things do not go their way is a common behavior among children and is not necessarily indicative of a traumatic experience. It could be a sign of frustration or difficulty managing emotions.
Choice D rationale
Making small fires in the backyard could be a sign that the child is trying to make sense of or reenact the traumatic experience of their house being destroyed by a wildfire. This behavior is a cause for concern and should be addressed with professional help.

Choice A rationale
The adolescent’s experimentation with drugs could be a coping mechanism to deal with the trauma of the sexual assault and the subsequent posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Substance use, including drug use, is often a maladaptive coping strategy used by individuals

who have experienced trauma to numb their feelings, escape from their reality, or attempt to regain control. This must indeed be a difficult time for both the adolescent and the parent.
Choice B rationale
While experimentation is a part of normal adolescent behavior, it is not normal or healthy for an adolescent to use drugs, especially in response to a traumatic event such as a sexual assault. Drug use can lead to addiction, health problems, and further psychological distress. Therefore, it is something to be concerned about and addressed appropriately.
Choice C rationale
While it is important to understand and address the parent’s concerns, the focus should be on the adolescent’s needs. The adolescent is dealing with the aftermath of a sexual assault and a diagnosis of PTSD, and is using drugs. These are serious issues that need to be addressed with professional help. The question of which behavior to address first should be determined based on the adolescent’s immediate safety and well-being.
Choice D rationale
It is not helpful to label the adolescent’s behavior as misbehavior or to compare them to their siblings. Each child is unique and may react differently to stress and trauma. Instead of focusing on rules and comparisons, it would be more beneficial to provide support, understanding, and appropriate professional help.