Question 1

An adolescent's parent comments, "My son seems so preoccupied with his appearance these days. Is this normal?" The nurse's best response would be:

Accepted Answer

Preoccupation with self-image is normal and accounts for the constant primping of adolescents.

Question 2

A parent comments that her adolescent daughter seems to be daydreaming a lot. The nurse understands that this behavior indicates she is:

Accepted Answer

Daydreaming allows adolescents to act out in their imaginations what will be said or done in certain situations. This helps them to prepare for and cope with interactions with others.

Question 3

The nurse planning a safety program for high school students should understand that most accidental deaths in adolescence are related to:

Accepted Answer

The chief safety hazard for the adolescent is automobiles.

Question 4

The nurse explains that adolescent acne is the result of:

Accepted Answer

Adolescent acne is the result of overactive sweat glands and oily skin.

Question 5

A 13-year-old boy states, "The girls in my class tower over me." The nurse's most informative response would be:

Accepted Answer

Although the age for growth spurts during puberty varies, growth spurts occur 2 years earlier for girls than for boys.

Question 6

A 13-year-old girl tells the school nurse that she is getting fat, especially in her hips and legs. The understanding by the nurse that would best guide the response is:

Accepted Answer

Secondary sexual characteristics become apparent before menarche. Fat is deposited in the hips, thighs, and breasts, causing them to enlarge.

Question 7

A 16-year-old excitedly tells his parents that he was offered a part-time job. Which response represents an effective problem-solving approach for his parents?

Accepted Answer

An effective approach to help adolescents learn to solve problems is for parents to guide them in exploring alternatives.

Question 8

The nurse using the PACE interview guide for persons at risk for substance abuse arrives at a score of 2 for an adolescent patient. The nurse should assess this score as:

Accepted Answer

The PACE guide recommends that a score of 2 or higher would suggest the need for a referral for counseling about substance abuse.

Question 9

A girl tells the nurse that she and her best friend belong to the popular clique. She states, "I love Lady Gaga, and I want to be a singer." The nurse recognizes the girl's statement as characteristic of peer relationships in:

Accepted Answer

Cliques of unisex friends, having a best friend, and hero worship are characteristics of the early adolescent.

Question 10

The nurse understands that the adolescent's avid sexual orientation to be based on Freud's theory, which describes adolescence as the __________ stage.

Accepted Answer

Freud describes the adolescent period as genital.

Question 11

When assessing a 13-year-old boy, the nurse would keep in mind physical changes in the pubertal male begin with:

Accepted Answer

In boys, pubertal changes begin with enlargement of the testicles and internal structures.

Question 12

The nurse points out to a group of parents that the most positive developmental significance of a peer group to the adolescent is that the group serves as a(n):

Accepted Answer

Being a member of a peer group and communicating with and seeking approval from this group are the first separation from the family.

Question 13

The nurse is leading a discussion group with parents of adolescents. One parent comments, "My son can't do anything without checking with his friends first. My opinion doesn't count anymore." The nurse would formulate a response on the knowledge that this behavior is:

Accepted Answer

Parents may need help understanding that the adolescent's exaggerated conformity is necessary for moving away from dependence and obtaining approval from persons outside the nuclear family.

Question 14

Foods that would be a healthy choice for an adolescent who just finished playing in a strenuous game would be:

Accepted Answer

A bagel provides a rapid supply of carbohydrates to the muscles, and skim milk provides a slow release of carbohydrates to the muscles.

Question 15

The school nurse is planning a program for girls about the physical changes of puberty; this program should be directed to girls of the age of _____ years.

Accepted Answer

Because puberty can occur in girls as early as age 10 years, instruction must be given by that age.

Question 16

When planning to answer a 16-year-old girl's questions about menstruation, the nurse must consider cognitive development. According to Piaget, the cognitive aspect that is developed during adolescence is the ability to:

Accepted Answer

According to Piaget, in the formal operations stage adolescents have the ability to think abstractly.

Question 17

The statement made by a parent indicating understanding about helping a 13-year-old manage his allowance is:

Accepted Answer

If money is simply handed out as requested, it is difficult to develop responsibility for finances and money management. The older adolescent is able to get a job. The younger adolescent can earn money by doing particular chores.

Question 18

One psychosocial task of adolescence on which the nurse must focus when planning care is the development of a sense of:

Accepted Answer

Psychosocial milestones that must be accomplished during adolescence include the five Is-image of self, identity, independence, interpersonal relationships, and intellectual maturity.

Question 19

The nurse suggests a good dietary source of zinc for an adolescent who is a vegetarian would be:

Accepted Answer

Zinc is essential for growth and sexual maturation in adolescence. Good vegetable sources include nuts, legumes, and wheat germ.

Question 20

The nurse suggests the use of "I" messages to communicate a parent's feeling to an adolescent. The most appropriate example of an "I" message is:

Accepted Answer

This is the only statement that associates the parent's feelings associated with the adolescent behavior that is not aggressive or accusatory.

Quiz 20: The Adolescent