Question 1

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?

Accepted Answer

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. Bulimia nervosa occurs more commonly in females. A teenage girl asking for stronger laxatives with tooth enamel erosion should cause any health care provider to consider the possibility of bulimia nervosa.

Question 2

Which female disorder is characterized by only one X chromosome present instead of two?

Accepted Answer

A female disorder in which only one X chromosome is present instead of two is known as Turner syndrome.

Question 3

When do females usually begin puberty?

Accepted Answer

Females usually begin puberty 2 years before males and experience their growth spurts earlier.

Question 4

Which of the following is the third leading cause of death in adolescents between 10 and 24 years of age?

Accepted Answer

The third leading cause of death in adolescents between 10 and 24 years of age is suicide.

Question 5

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?

Accepted Answer

Acne is common in adolescents. Evidence indicates that dietary restrictions for acne are unnecessary. Although washing with soap and water is the best way to remove dirt, vigorous scrubbing should be discouraged. Furthermore, although sunlight can have a beneficial effect on acne, prolonged exposure should be avoided. Topical acne products make acne appear worse initially, and improvement occurs slowly over several months. Nurses should provide this information to teenagers planning to use acne products, so they are not discouraged early in therapy.

Question 6

What percentage of adolescent females suffer from an eating disorder in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Ten percent of adolescent females suffer from an eating disorder in the United States.

Question 7

Which of the following actions should parents take to help their teenager meet his developmental task?

Accepted Answer

Imposing strict limits and eliminating all rules are not helpful to teenagers. Families in which parents maintain a willingness to listen, demonstrate an ongoing affection for and acceptance of their adolescent, yet still maintain some consistent limits, experience more constructive, positive outcomes during adolescence. Thus, maintaining an ongoing dialogue about important issues and upcoming challenges demonstrates the parents' willingness to listen and their concern.

Question 8

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?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 9

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?

Accepted Answer

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. However, asking first about friends and the adolescent's feelings about them is a good lead-in approach to a discussion about substance use.

Question 10

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?

Accepted Answer

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. Often, mood swings and spending more time with peers and less time with the family is normal adolescent behavior during this period of rapid change in physical, psychosocial, spiritual, moral, and cognitive growth. Parents and teenagers should be aware of and prepared for these changes.

Question 11

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?

Accepted Answer

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. Females who are sexually active may also benefit but to a lesser degree. It is not known if the vaccine is effective in boys or men. Thus, the best response is, "You can still benefit from the vaccine, but there is a chance it will not be as effective."

Question 12

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?

Accepted Answer

Teens do not always consider health risks associated with their risky behaviors. Additionally, peer influence is primary and parental input is often rejected. In this case, the teenager may risk losing her cell phone and privileges by continuing with her risky behavior, but because peer influence is primary, the parents should enroll her in a peer support group focused on teenage drinking.

Question 13

Which of the following teenagers is at risk for not meeting his developmental task?

Accepted Answer

The central task of adolescence according to Erikson is the establishment of identity, with the primary risk being role confusion. As the adolescent searches for direction, he makes choices in social, recreational, volunteer, academic, familial, and occupational activities. When the threat of confusion is exceedingly great, delinquent behavior and alterations in mental health can occur. Thus, a teenager arrested for petty theft is displaying delinquent behavior that may place him at risk for not meeting his developmental task of identity.

Question 14

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?

Accepted Answer

Many teenagers take naps, although this does not address the mother's concern. Although the nap can be a symptom of a health problem or drug use, additional information is necessary to make that determination. Asking the mother to tell you about her daughter's schedule provides information to determine whether the behavior is normal or whether it requires further investigation.

Question 15

Which of the following teenage behaviors is cause for concern?

Accepted Answer

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. Therefore, a teenager who takes frequent naps and states it is because he is bored is cause for concern because this behavior might indicate depression.

Question 16

The school nurse is working on a campaign in the school to prevent adolescent pregnancies. Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement?

Accepted Answer

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. Parents, teachers, and health care providers will be more successful in assisting teens to manage their health needs if they treat them as joint partners. Talking to teenagers about sex, contraceptive options, and sexually transmitted diseases gives them the information and anticipatory guidance they need to help them make a decision.

Question 17

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?

Accepted Answer

Obesity is making Type 2 diabetes mellitus common among teens and young adults. Being overweight and inactive increases the risk. Therefore, encouraging activity and a balanced diet is the best information the nurse can give to the client. Telling him to avoid all sweets would be an impossible request, and genetic testing does not detect the development of this disorder.

Question 18

Which of the following teenagers is at increased risk for acquiring a sexually transmitted disease and should be provided with anticipatory guidance?

Accepted Answer

Adolescents often talk on the phone for hours, providing a safe way for them to interact with members of the opposite sex. However, adolescence is a time when teenagers fantasize about relationships and sex. Teenagers decide to become sexually active for a number of reasons, including affection. This can put them at increased risk for sexually transmitted diseases; therefore, anticipatory guidance regarding protection from sexually transmitted diseases needs to be provided before the adolescent is in a situation that can place him or her at risk.

Question 19

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?

Accepted Answer

The first sign of puberty in females is the appearance of breast buds, followed by a growth spurt. The onset of menstruation occurs approximately 2 years after the appearance of breast buds and near the end of the growth spurt. Thus, based on the age of breast bud appearance, the girl should start menstruating around age 14.

Question 20

Which of the following behaviors is most reflective of a teenager?

Accepted Answer

Teenagers are known for their risk-taking behaviors. They do not always consider the health risks associated with their behaviors. In addition, they often do things because their friends do it. Therefore, riding an ATV without a helmet and risking a head injury is most reflective of a teenager's behavior.

Quiz 21: Adolescent