The parents of a 16-year-old male are worried about recent changes in his behavior, ignoring his schoolwork and sports, and spending almost all of his free time interacting with his girlfriend. Which suggestion should the nurse point out would best address this situation?
He has chosen a girl who is overly dependent on him. They should talk to him about making sure he meets his own needs, including doing the schoolwork he enjoys, in any relationship.
He is not developmentally mature enough to make healthy choices about the ways in which he spends his time, so it would be helpful if they would make a schedule for him that includes about a half-hour per day to talk with his girlfriend.
He is not developmentally mature enough to have an intimate relationship with one girl; they should encourage him to spend time with groups of friends rather than time alone with his girlfriend.
He has developed his own identity by now; being able to establish close relationships with girls is important preparation for all of his adult relationships. They should honor his need to be with or talk to his girlfriend as long as he has completed his schoolwork for the day.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason: Assuming the girlfriend is overly dependent lacks evidence and may alienate the teen. Encouraging balance with schoolwork while respecting his relationship fosters autonomy, making this judgmental and incorrect compared to supporting his developmental need for relationships while ensuring academic responsibilities are met.
Choice B reason: Imposing a strict schedule assumes immaturity and undermines a 16-year-old’s autonomy, potentially causing resistance. Allowing girlfriend time after schoolwork respects his developmental stage, making this overly controlling and incorrect compared to fostering independence while addressing the parents’ concerns about his behavior.
Choice C reason: Discouraging an intimate relationship ignores the 16-year-old’s developmental need for close bonds, which is normal. Permitting girlfriend time post-schoolwork balances responsibilities, making this restrictive and incorrect compared to supporting his social growth while ensuring he meets academic and extracurricular obligations.
Choice D reason: At 16, forming close relationships is a key developmental task for future adult bonds. Allowing girlfriend time after schoolwork respects his identity while addressing parental concerns, aligning with adolescent psychosocial development, making this the best suggestion to balance his needs and responsibilities effectively.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Family health history identifies genetic and environmental risk factors, enabling preventive measures to reduce the child’s likelihood of developing similar conditions. This aligns with pediatric health assessment goals, making it the correct explanation for gathering family health history data during the clinical encounter.
Choice B reason: Family history does not force parental behavior changes but informs risk assessment. Suggesting coercion is inaccurate, as the goal is prevention through awareness, making this incorrect compared to identifying risk factors as the primary reason for collecting health history from the parents.
Choice C reason: Needing to know “everything” is overly broad and impractical. Family health history specifically targets relevant risk factors for the child’s health, not all family details, making this vague and incorrect for the focused purpose of gathering targeted medical history during the assessment.
Choice D reason: The number of affected family members informs risk but does not definitively predict the child’s health outcomes. Identifying risk factors for prevention is the broader goal, making this too narrow and incorrect for the primary reason for collecting family health history in pediatric care.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Discussing anxiety and depression is relevant but premature without addressing the immediate issue of the child being alone and scared after school. After-school programs provide supervision and safety, making this less urgent and incorrect compared to resolving the primary concern of unsupervised time for the child.
Choice B reason: Preventing drug and alcohol use is important but not the priority for a 10-year-old scared and alone after school. After-school programs address immediate safety and social needs, making this secondary and incorrect compared to tackling the child’s current unsupervised and fearful situation at home.
Choice C reason: Emergency contact numbers are useful but do not resolve the ongoing issue of the child being alone and scared daily. After-school programs offer structured supervision, directly addressing the primary concern, making this less critical and incorrect for the nurse’s priority action for this family.
Choice D reason: Providing a list of after-school programs addresses the child’s fear and isolation by offering supervised, engaging activities, reducing unsupervised time at home. This prioritizes safety and emotional well-being, aligning with pediatric nursing goals for supporting relocated families, making it the correct action to assist them.
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