The school nurse is working with children from various cultures. The nurse notices that one of the foreign-born students seems to be silent and avoids eye contact with the principal, teachers, and other adults. The nurse decides to do further assessment before reaching a conclusion about the cause of this behavior. Which of the following is the most likely cause of the silence and avoiding eye contact?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In many cultures, silence and avoiding eye contact with adults or authority figures is a sign of respect rather than an indication of a psychological or social problem. The nurse's observation of this behavior in a foreign-born student suggests that it may be rooted in the student's cultural background rather than being a symptom of a disorder, low self-esteem, or language barriers.

The School Nurse Is Working with Children from Various Cultures