A patient comes in the clinic expressing concern over changes in her body. She says she has been experiencing axillary and genital hair growth, breast growth, acne and she is going through a growth spurt. You reassure her these are all a normal part of maturation and inform her that she has begun
A) menarche.
B) menopause.
C) peri-menopause.
D) prenatal development.
E) puberty.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient's symptoms indicate that she has begun puberty, which is the process of physical changes that lead to sexual development and reproductive maturity. Axillary and genital hair growth, breast growth, and acne are all normal changes that occur during puberty, as is a growth spurt. Menarche refers specifically to the onset of menstruation, which the patient did not mention experiencing. Menopause and peri-menopause are associated with the end of reproductive function and occur later in life. Prenatal development refers to the period of development from conception to birth and is not relevant to the patient's symptoms.

A Patient Comes in the Clinic Expressing Concern Over Changes