Parents bring their 8-month-old child to the clinic because they are concerned that the child is not developing as an older sibling did. Which developmental characteristic should the nurse expect an 8-month-old to exhibit?

A. Request social services to make a home visit. This is important but not the immediate priority. It can be part of the long-term intervention plan once the immediate safety and health of the client are ensured.

B. Interview the client privately without the adult child present. This is the highest priority. It allows the nurse to assess for potential abuse or neglect without the influence or intimidation of the accompanying adult, ensuring the client can speak freely.

C. Complete a neurological and musculoskeletal assessment. This is important to assess the extent of the injuries and the client's overall physical health, but it follows the immediate need to ensure the client's safety and ability to speak freely about their situation.

D. Ask the client if an assisted living facility is an option for safety concerns. While exploring living arrangements is important for long-term safety, it is not the highest priority. Ensuring the client's immediate safety and obtaining accurate information about their situation takes precedence.

A. Compress the tissue around the ankles: Compressing the tissue around the ankles can assess for edema but does not provide direct information about arterial circulation.

B. Observe plantar flexion and dorsiflexion: Observing plantar flexion and dorsiflexion assesses motor function and muscle strength but does not directly assess arterial circulation.

C. Palpate the volume of the pedal pulses: Palpating pedal pulses is a direct method to assess arterial blood flow to the lower extremities. It provides information about the strength and quality of arterial circulation.

D. Stroke the soles and note toe movement: Stroking the soles and noting toe movement is the Babinski reflex test, which assesses neurological function, not arterial circulation.