Chapter 21
A mother is concerned because her 13-year-old daughter comes home happy one day and sad the next. The girl also argues with her younger sister more than she did in the past, and does not like participating in family activities anymore. Which of the following is the best initial response from the nurse? a. "The changes during adolescence can be stressful as they struggle to come to terms with who they are. What other types of behaviors has she been displaying?" b. "Changes in affect can be a warning sign for suicide. Has she had any increase in risk-taking behaviors or physical violence?" c. "Is there any history of psychological disorders in your family?" d. "Withdrawal can be a sign of substance abuse. Has she given you any indication she might be using illicit drugs?"
ANS: A Although dramatic swings in affect can be a warning sign for suicide, and withdrawal can be a sign of substance abuse, additional information is required before suggesting a diagnosis.
During a physical exam, a teenager asks the nurse if she can have a stronger medication for her constipation because the laxatives she has been taking are not helping. During the physical exam, the nurse observes mild to moderate erosion of the tooth enamel. Which of the following disorders is the client most likely experiencing? a. Bulimia nervosa b. Binge eating disorder c. Idiopathic constipation d. Irritable bowel syndrome
ANS: A Bulimia nervosa is characterized by binge eating and then purging by self-induced vomiting and/or laxatives. Purging can also lead to erosion of the tooth enamel.
Which of the following behaviors is most reflective of a teenager? a. Riding an ATV without a helmet b. Not skiing for fear of falling and getting hurt c. Obeying a new parental rule without a challenge d. Walking away from a group of friends who are smoking cigarettes
ANS: A Teenagers are known for their risk-taking behaviors.
After offering a teenager the HPV vaccine, the teenager responds by saying, "I can't have the vaccine because I have already been sexually active." Which of the following statements is the best response by the nurse? a. "You can still benefit from the vaccine, but there is a chance it will not be as effective." b. "The best way to protect yourself now is to make sure all your future sexual partners have received the vaccine." c. "You are correct, the vaccine is only indicated for females who have never been sexually active." d. "It depends on the number of partners you have had. If you have had less than five partners, you are still eligible for the vaccine."
ANS: A The HPV vaccine is recommended for 11- to 12-year-old girls and for 13- to 26-year olds who have not yet received or completed the vaccine series. Ideally, females should receive the vaccine before they are sexually active because girls who have not been infected with any of the four HPV types covered by the vaccine will receive the full benefits of the vaccine.
Which of the following teenagers is at risk for not meeting his developmental task? a. Arrested for petty theft b. Decided he wants to major in accounting c. Has recently broke up with his girlfriend d. Is a member of the varsity basketball team
ANS: A The central task of adolescence according to Erikson is the establishment of identity, with the primary risk being role confusion.
The school nurse is working on a campaign in the school to prevent adolescent pregnancies. Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement? a. Talk to teenagers about sex, including abstinence, contraception, and sexually transmitted diseases. b. Tell the teenagers they should abstain from sex until they are old enough to cope with the potential consequences such as an unwanted pregnancy. c. Encourage parents of all teenage girls to make sure their daughters start oral contraceptives early. d. Offer all teenagers free condoms when they come in for physical exams.
ANS: A The emergence of secondary sexual characteristics increases adolescents' awareness of themselves as sexual human beings leading to experimentation. Primary prevention is necessary to help prevent adolescent pregnancies.
A teenager has been using acne medications for the last 14 days. Her acne is no better, and in fact, it is a little worse. What information should the nurse offer this girl? a. "Wash your face at least four times a day, making sure to scrub well." b. "The medications can make acne appear worse at first; try to give it a few more weeks." c. "Avoid all chocolate products." d. "Because it is summertime, it would be good for your skin if you lie out in the sun for a few hours each day."
ANS: B Acne is common in adolescents.
Which of the following teenagers is at increased risk for acquiring a sexually transmitted disease and should be provided with anticipatory guidance? a. Asks the nurse for information about condoms b. Feels her friends and family do not care about her c. Has multiple friends and feels good about herself d. Talks to her boyfriend on the phone for hours
ANS: B Adolescents often talk on the phone for hours, providing a safe way for them to interact with members of the opposite sex.
Which of the following actions should parents take to help their teenager meet his developmental task? a. Set strict rules to prevent the teenager from getting into any trouble. b. Maintain an ongoing dialogue about important issues and upcoming challenges. c. Maintain a friendship with the teenager, so he views parents as peers. d. Be very lenient with the teenager so that he can figure out who he is as a person.
ANS: B Imposing strict limits and eliminating all rules are not helpful to teenagers.
Which stage of female breast development is characterized by enlargement of the areolar diameter along with a small area of elevation around the papillae? a. 1 b. 2 c. 3 d. 4
ANS: B In stage 2, female breast development is characterized by enlargement of the areolar diameter along with a small area of elevation around the papillae.
A mother is concerned because her daughter has been taking a nap every day after school. Which of the following statements would be the best response by the nurse? a. "Don't worry; all teenagers do that." b. "Tell me about your daughter's schedule." c. "Let's bring her in for some blood work." d. "Have you addressed the topic of drugs with you daughter?'
ANS: B Many teenagers take naps, although this does not address the mother's concern.
Which of the following teenagers is exhibiting a behavior that causes for concern and requires further evaluation? a. Is always very happy b. Is agitated and has trouble sleeping c. Has a lot of homework and stays up late to finish it d. Values his friend's opinion more than his parent's opinion
ANS: B Nurses should be aware that the problem of substance abuse exists. They should also be aware of what the signs and symptoms are. Agitation and insomnia are signs of substance abuse and should therefore be evaluated further.
A teenager has a family history of Type 2 diabetes mellitus. He asks the nurse what he can do to try to prevent developing it himself. Which of the following instructions should the nurse give this client? a. Tell him to avoid any and all sweets. b. Tell him to be active and eat a balanced diet. c. Tell him he should talk to his physician about genetic testing. d. Tell him that very little can be done to avoid developing this disorder.
ANS: B Obesity is making Type 2 diabetes mellitus common among teens and young adults. Being overweight and inactive increases the risk.
What percentage of adolescent females suffer from an eating disorder in the United States? a. 5% b. 10% c. 15% d. 20%
ANS: B Ten percent of adolescent females suffer from an eating disorder in the United States.
Which of the following is the third leading cause of death in adolescents between 10 and 24 years of age? a. Accidents b. Suicide c. Cancer d. Sport injuries
ANS: B The third leading cause of death in adolescents between 10 and 24 years of age is suicide.
Which female disorder is characterized by only one X chromosome present instead of two? a. Gynecomastia b. Menstruation c. Turner syndrome d. Klinefelter syndrome
ANS: C A female disorder in which only one X chromosome is present instead of two is known as Turner syndrome.
Which of the following teenage behaviors is cause for concern? a. Has difficulty waking up in the morning and naps during the day b. Goes to bed late and naps during the day c. Takes frequent naps and states it is because he is bored d. Participates in after school activities and has difficulty waking up
ANS: C Adolescents need at least 8 hours of sleep per night. Often, they stay up late and wake up for school before their sleep cycles have finished; therefore, napping is common. However, those with a decreased energy level who use words such as "bored" or "sad" should be further evaluated for suspected depression.
A nurse is initiating a discussion about alcohol consumption during a physical exam with a teenager. Which of the following questions would be most appropriate for the nurse to ask? a. "So, what do you and your friends do for fun and excitement?" b. "Do you have access to alcohol?" c. "Do any of your friends drink?" d. "Do you want to talk about alcohol or drinking?"
ANS: C Anticipatory guidance during a physical exam is important. This includes asking about substance use. Questions should not be vague because they may be misinterpreted. Direct questions are useful when discussing sensitive topics.
When do females usually begin puberty? a. 1 year before males b. 1 year after males c. 2 years before males d. 2 years after males
ANS: C Females usually begin puberty 2 years before males and experience their growth spurts earlier.
Which stage of male genital development is characterized by initial enlargement of the penis, mainly in length along with further growth of the testes and scrotum? a. 1 b. 2 c. 3 d. 4
ANS: C In stage 3, male genital development is characterized by initial enlargement of the penis, mainly in length along with further growth of the testes and scrotum.
A teenager asks the school nurse for advice before getting a tattoo. Which of the following responses would be most appropriate for the nurse? a. "You should not get a tattoo." b. "It is okay to get a tattoo if you go to a licensed artist." c. "Tattoos are popular; however, they can lead to infection and/or bleeding." d. "A body piercing would be safer and less permanent."
ANS: C Tattoos and piercings carry similar risks, which include localized infection, bleeding, and dermatitis. In addition, tattoos carry a heightened concern for blood-borne disease such as hepatitis and HIV.
Parents recently discovered that their teenage daughter has been consuming alcohol on a regular basis. They ask the nurse for advice on how to best help their daughter. Which of the following recommendations should the nurse give to the parents? a. Talk to their daughter at length regarding the dangers associated with drinking. b. Tell their daughter she will not be allowed to use her cell phone if this continues. c. Enroll their daughter in a peer support group focused on teenage drinking. d. Provide their daughter with literature regarding the dangers of drinking.
ANS: C Teens do not always consider health risks associated with their risky behaviors.
The mother of a 13-year-old girl is concerned because her daughter has not started menstruating yet. The girl developed breast buds and started her height spurt at 12 years of age. Which of the following statements would be the most appropriate response from the nurse? a. "Usually, girls start menstruating when they develop breast buds; an endocrine evaluation might be warranted." b. "Everyone is different; it will happen when it happens." c. "Based on when the breast buds first appeared, she should starting menstruating around the age of 14." d. "She will not start menstruating until her breasts are of adult size and contour."
ANS: C The first sign of puberty in females is the appearance of breast buds, followed by a growth spurt.
A 14-year-old female is in for a physical exam. Which finding requires further investigation? a. A height spurt since her last visit b. Facial acne c. The lack of breast buds d. Noticeable sweating and body odor with activity
ANS: C The onset of puberty usually begins around 11 to 13 years of age. Stage 2 is the usual time of peak height velocity for girls.
Which of the following disorders is characterized by males having an extra chromosome, typically being tall and initially thin, and not developing secondary sex characteristics? a. Gynecomastia b. Menstruation c. Turner syndrome d. Klinefelter syndrome
ANS: D A disorder in which males have an extra chromosome and typically are tall and initially thin, and do not develop secondary sex characteristics is known as Klinefelter syndrome.
A teenager is expecting her menstrual period on May 14. On which of the following dates would the nurse recommend that she perform a self-breast exam? a. May 11 b. May 14 c. May 17 d. May 23
ANS: D The best day to perform a self-breast exam is 2 to 3 days after one's period when breasts are least likely to be tender or swollen. A typical period lasts about 6 days. Thus, a teenager who starts her period on May 14 should perform a breast self-exam on May 23 (14 + 6 = 20 + 3 = 23).
