You are in the home of a 17-year-old female patient who is complaining of abdominal pain. Her mother and father are hovering near her and answering most of the questions you ask her. You sense that the patient is uncomfortable answering questions in front of her parents. Which of the following is the best way to handle this situation?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Asking the parents to go to another room with your partner allows the patient to speak freely without fear of being judged or potentially harming the relationship with her parents. This ensures that the patient is able to give an accurate history, which is crucial for appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Option A could put pressure on the patient to share her discomfort, potentially causing the patient to shut down or become more uncomfortable. Option B defers the responsibility to someone else and could result in the patient being uncomfortable during the entire triage process. Option D could create an adversarial relationship between the patient and the parents, potentially making the situation worse.

You Are in the Home of a 17-Year-Old Female Patient