The primary care pediatric nurse practitioner is performing an examination on
a 5yearold child who exhibits ritualistic behaviors, avoids contact with other children, and has limited speech. The parent reports having had concerns more than 2 years ago about autism, but was told that it was too early to diagnose. What will the nurse practitioner do first?

Question

The primary care pediatric nurse practitioner is performing an examination on
a 5­year­old child who exhibits ritualistic behaviors, avoids contact with other children, and has limited speech. The parent reports having had concerns more than 2 years ago about autism, but was told that it was too early to diagnose. What will the nurse practitioner do first?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Asking the parent to describe the child's earlier behaviors will provide important information about the child's developmental history and provide insight into whether the child has exhibited autistic symptoms since infancy. Administering an M-CHAT screen is appropriate but should be done after obtaining a thorough developmental history. Reassuring the parent before gathering more information could lead to missed opportunities for early intervention. Referral to a specialist may be necessary, but a developmental history should be obtained first to inform the referral.

The Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Is Performing an Examination