The nurse is evaluating the developmental skills of an eight-month-old child recently adopted from a foreign country. The nurse attempts to get the child to wave "bye-bye" and to play "patty-cake." When the child is unable to perform either skill, the nurse should:
A)Document developmental delay on the child's record.
B)Refer the child for an electroencephalogram.
C)Encourage the parents to seek medical attention for the child's developmental delay.
D)Recognize that this child's language skills and previous experience may not allow for these activities at this time.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Adopted children may have different developmental experiences and language skills, and it may take some time for them to catch up with the developmental milestones of their new culture. The nurse should not jump to conclusions about developmental delay or suggest medical attention without further evaluation. Instead, the nurse should recognize that the child may need extra time and support to develop these skills and provide age-appropriate toys and activities to encourage development.

The Nurse Is Evaluating the Developmental Skills of an Eight-Month-Old