Deck 29: Growth and Development of the Adolescent

Question 1

The nurse teaches parents of adolescents that adolescents need the support of parents and nurses to facilitate healthy lifestyles. Which of the following should be a priority focus of this guidance?

A) Reducing risk-taking behavior
B) Promoting adequate physical growth
C) Maximizing learning potential
D) Teaching personal hygiene routines

Answer 1

Reducing risk-taking behavior

Question 2

The nurse has seen a 15-year-old girl and a 16-year-old boy during health surveillance visits. Which of the following physical characteristics would be seen in both teenagers?

A) Decreased respiratory rates of 15 to 20 breaths per minute
B) Eruption of last four molars
C) Increased shoulder, chest, and hip widths
D) Fully functioning sweat and sebaceous glands

Answer 2

Increased shoulder, chest, and hip widths

Question 3

The nurse is performing an assessment of the reproductive system of a 17-year-old girl. Which of the following would alert the nurse to a developmental delay in this girl?

A) Areola and papilla separate from the contour of the breast
B) Mature distribution and coarseness of pubic hair
C) Developed breast tissue
D) Occurrence of first menstrual period

Answer 3

Occurrence of first menstrual period

Question 4

The school nurse is performing health assessments on students in middle school. Of which of the following developmental milestones should the nurse be aware?

A) Height in girls increases rapidly after menarche and usually ceases immediately after menarche.
B) Boys' growth spurt usually begins between the ages of 8 and 14 years and ends between the ages of 131/2 and 171/2 years.
C) Peak height velocity (PHV) occurs at approximately 12 years of age in girls or about 6 to 12 months after menarche.
D) Boys reach PHV and peak weight velocity (PWV) at about 16 years of age.

Question 5

After assessing a 10-year-old girl, the nurse documents the appearance of breast buds, identifying this as which of the following?

A) Menarche
B) Thelarche
C) Puberty
D) Tanner stage 5

Question 6

When describing the various changes that occur in organ systems during adolescence, which of the following would the nurse include?

A) Significant increase in brain size
B) Ossification completed later in girls
C) Decrease in heart rate
D) Decrease in activity of sebaceous glands

Question 7

The school nurse is performing a physical examination on a 13-year-old boy who is on the soccer team. Which of the following is a physical quality that develops during these early adolescent years?

A) Coordination
B) Endurance
C) Speed
D) Accuracy

Question 8

Based on Erikson's developmental theory, which of the following is the major developmental task of the adolescent?

A) Gaining independence
B) Finding an identity
C) Coordinating information
D) Mastering motor skills

Question 9

The nurse assesses the spirituality of an adolescent. Which of the following are normal moral and spiritual milestones in this age group? Select all answers that apply.

A) Adolescents will base their actions on the avoidance of punishment and the attainment of pleasure.
B) Adolescents develop their own set of morals and values and question the status quo.
C) Adolescents undergo the process of developing their own set of morals at different rates.
D) Adolescents are more interested in the spiritualism of their religion than in the actual practices of their religion.
E) Adolescents can understand the concepts of right and wrong and are developing a conscience.
F) Adolescents are able to understand and incorporate into their behavior the concept of the "golden rule."

Question 10

The school nurse is conducting a seminar for parents of adolescents on how to communicate with teenagers. Which of the following guidelines might the nurse recommend? Select all answers that apply.

A) Talk face to face and be aware of body language.
B) Ask questions to see why he or she feels that way.
C) Do not give praise unless the adolescent deserves it.
D) Speak to your child as an authority figure, not an equal.
E) Don't admit that you make mistakes.
F) Don't pretend you know all the answers.

Question 11

The nurse is teaching the parents of a 12-year-old boy about appropriate approaches when raising an adolescent. Which of the following comments should be included in the discussion?

A) "Find out if his friends are worthy of him."
B) "Try to be open to his views."
C) "Maintain a firm set of rules."
D) "Remind him that he is still your little boy."

Question 12

The mother of a 14-year-old girl complains to the nurse that her daughter is moody, shuts herself in her room, and fights with her younger sister. Which of the following comments is most valuable to the mother?

A) "Calmly talk to her about your concerns."
B) "This is normal for her age."
C) "She may be hanging with a bad crowd."
D) "Set some rules for family etiquette."

Question 13

The adolescent continues to develop self-concept and self-esteem. Which of the following is most important to a teen's self-esteem?

A) Strong authority figures
B) Spirituality
C) Morals and values
D) Body image

Question 14

The nurse is performing risk assessments on adolescents in the school setting. Which one of the following teens should the nurse screen for hypertension?

A) An Asian female
B) A white male
C) An African American male
D) A Jewish male

Question 15

The nurse knows that barriers to the adolescent's health and successful achievement of the tasks of adolescence exist. Which of the following is the major barrier to health for this population?

A) Cultural
B) Socioeconomic
C) Marital status
D) Racial

Question 16

The nurse teaching safety to teens knows that which of the following is the leading cause of death among adolescents?

A) Drowning
B) Poisoning
C) Diseases
D) Unintentional injuries

Question 17

When assessing adolescents for health risks, the nurse must keep in mind the factors related to the prevalence of adolescent injuries. Which of the following accurately describe these factors? Select all answers that apply.

A) Increased physical growth
B) Insufficient psychomotor coordination
C) Tiredness, lack of energy
D) Lack of impulsivity
E) Peer pressure
F) Inexperience

Question 18

The nurse is helping the parents and their underweight adolescent collaborate on planning a healthy menu. Of which of the following nutritional requirements of adolescents should the nurse be aware?

A) Teenagers have a need for increased calories, zinc, calcium, and iron for growth.
B) Teenage girls who are active require about 1,800 calories per day.
C) Teenage boys who are active require between 2,000 and 2,500 calories per day.
D) Adolescents require about 1,000 to 1,200 mg of calcium each day.

Question 19

The nurse is promoting nutrition to a 13-year-old boy who is overweight. Which of the following comments should the nurse expect to include in the discussion?

A) "You need to go on a low-fat diet."
B) "Eat what your parents eat."
C) "Go out for a sport at school."
D) "Keep a food diary."

Question 20

The nurse is providing suggestions to a female adolescent about foods to help meet her nutritional requirements for iron. Which food would the nurse suggest as a good source of iron?

A) Broccoli
B) Yogurt
C) Peanut butter
D) White beans

Question 21

During a health maintenance visit, a 15-year-old girl mentions that she is not happy with how overweight she is. Which of the following approaches is best for the nurse to take?

A) "Good observation. Let's talk about diet and exercise."
B) "Don't worry; you are within the weight and height guidelines."
C) "What specifically have you been noticing?"
D) "Tell me about your parents. Are they overweight?"

Question 22

The school nurse knows that dating is a milestone for adolescents. Which of the following statements accurately describes a trend in teen dating?

A) Most late adolescents spend more time in activities with mixed-sex groups, such as dances and parties, than they do dating as a couple.
B) Most teens have been involved in at least one romantic relationship by middle adolescence.
C) Teens that date frequently report slightly lower levels of self-esteem and decreased autonomy.
D) Homosexual behavior as a teen usually indicates that the adolescent will maintain a homosexual orientation.

Question 23

A mother calls the school nurse and is concerned because her 13-year-old daughter's friends wear heavy makeup and black clothes. Which of the following is the best advice for the mother?

A) "This can lead to piercings and tattoos."
B) "The teen years are a time for experimenting."
C) "Encourage her to socialize with the kids at church."
D) "Teen appearance might not accurately reflect their actual values."

Question 24

During a health check-up without his parents, a 17-year-old tells the nurse he is gay. Which of the following approaches should the nurse take?

A) "Tell me what makes you think you are gay."
B) "This puts you in an at-risk category."
C) "We need to talk about safe sex."
D) "You're not gay; you're confused."

Question 25

The nurse is promoting learning and school attendance to an 11-year-old girl. Which of the following factors will affect the child's attitude most?

A) Her parents' values and desires
B) The dramatic changes to her body
C) Peer group behaviors and attitudes
D) Desire for attention from boys

Question 26

The school nurse is planning to teach a segment on smoking during the freshman health classes. The nurse is aware that this needs to be a forum rather than a lecture. Which of the following techniques will also help deliver a "don't smoke" message?

A) Showing a command of the facts on smoking
B) Speaking with a tone of authority
C) Keeping your personal experiences out of it
D) Listening to all comments nonjudgmentally

Question 27

The school nurse is preparing a program on sexuality and birth control for a class of 14- to 16-year-olds. Which of the following behaviors will have the most influence on how the information is presented?

A) Teens are adjusting to new body images.
B) Adolescents tend to take risks.
C) Teenagers are able to think in the abstract.
D) Adolescents understand that actions have consequences.

Question 28

The nurse is preparing a class for a group of adolescents about promoting safety. Which of the following would the nurse plan to include as the leading cause of adolescent injuries?

A) Car accidents
B) Firearms
C) Water
D) Fires

Question 29

The nurse is discussing ways to promote discipline with parents who are becoming increasingly frustrated with their teenager. Which of the following would the nurse identify as most important?

A) Establish rules and expectations.
B) Collaborate to determine consequence.
C) Make your responses consistent.
D) Explain the rules to the adolescent.

Question 30

The school nurse is teaching parents risk factors for suicide in adolescents. Which of the following would the nurse discuss? Select all answers that apply.

A) Mental health changes
B) History of previous suicide attempt
C) Higher socioeconomic status
D) Greatly improved school performance
E) Family disorganization
F) Substance abuse