Question 1

An adolescent patient is concerned about the presence of facial acne. What should the nurse teach the patient about the cause of this skin disorder?

Accepted Answer

Acne is a self-limiting inflammatory disease that involves the sebaceous glands, which empty into hair shafts. One cause for the development of acne is an increase in androgen levels, which cause sebaceous glands to become active. Acne is not caused by thyroid gland secretions. Acne does not develop because of poor personal hygiene; although, poor hygiene can make acne worse. Acne is not caused by a vitamin deficiency.

Question 2

An adolescent is prescribed tretinoin (Retin-A cream) as therapy for acne. What should the nurse instruct the patient about this medication?

Accepted Answer

A common prescription medication for acne is tretinoin (Retin-A cream). This medication reduces keratin formation and plugging of ducts. Adolescents should be cautioned to avoid prolonged sun exposure and to use a sunblock of SPF 15 or higher because the preparation makes their skin more susceptible than usual to ultraviolet rays. This medication is not typically applied to a wet face. It can be used prior to bedtime. It should be applied directly to lesions.

Question 3

The school nurse is preparing an educational session for adolescents to address the 2020 National Health Goals for healthy habits. What should the nurse include in this presentation? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Nurses can help the nation achieve the 2020 National Health Goals for adolescent healthy habits by educating adolescents about the use of cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, alcohol, and substance abuse, and reducing the number of adolescents who are obese. College preparation programs will not necessarily help adolescents achieve healthy habits.

Question 4

During a physical assessment, a 15-year-old male expresses concern about being short in height. Which should the nurse respond to this patient's concern?

Accepted Answer

Growth stops with closure of the epiphyseal lines of long bones, which occurs at about 18 to 20 years of age in males. Most adolescent males do not stop growing by age 17 years. Maximum height is not achieved by age 14 years. The epiphyseal lines of long bones do not close when signs of puberty occur.

Question 5

The nurse is preparing to discuss the most frequent causes of death in adolescents with a group of high school students. On which area should the nurse focus during this discussion?

Accepted Answer

Unintentional injuries, most commonly those involving motor vehicles, are the leading cause of death among adolescents. This is the area in which the nurse should focus during the discussion with the high school students. Water, home, and firearm safety are not identified as leading causes of death in adolescents.

Question 6

The nurse is caring for a 17-year-old patient recovering from a failed suicide attempt. Which factor should the nurse recognize as potentially causing the patient to reattempt suicide?

Accepted Answer

Some degree of depression is present in most adolescents because they are not only losing their parents at this time as they grow apart from them but they are also losing their carefree childhood. Feeling sad is an indication of depression. Having siblings, performing in the school band, and being on the honor roll are not identified as factors for the patient to reattempt suicide.

Question 7

The nurse is identifying outcomes for an adolescent patient who has been avoiding bread products and grains in order to lose weight. Which outcome should the nurse identify as appropriate for this patient's nutritional needs?

Accepted Answer

Many adolescents omit breads and cereals entirely to lose weight rather than just reducing the amounts they eat. Diets such as these can be deficient in thiamine and riboflavin, vitamins necessary for growth. The outcome in which the adolescent is without signs of thiamine and riboflavin deficiency would be appropriate for this patient. The outcome where the patient ingests bread and grains with breakfast might not be sufficient for the adolescent's growth needs. The outcome that focuses on calcium, iron, and zinc deficiency would be appropriate if the adolescent avoids eating meat, milk products, and green vegetables. The outcome where the patient ingests bread and grain products with high school friends might not be a sufficient amount to meet the growing adolescent's health needs.

Question 8

The nurse is caring for a 16-year-old adolescent who was arrested for driving while intoxicated. Which teaching method will be most effective in getting the patient to discontinue alcohol use?

Accepted Answer

Adolescents are very present oriented, so a program such as losing the driver's license provides immediate results and will usually be carried out well. In contrast, a regimen oriented toward the future, with long-term goals such as effects of alcohol on the liver or leading to other drug use may not be as successful. Scolding is not a teaching method.

Question 9

An adolescent admits to using marijuana on a daily basis. What should the nurse explain to the patient to help improve performance in school?

Accepted Answer

The products of marijuana are not readily eliminated from the body but remain in the fatty cells of the brain. This residue can create synaptic gaps that interfere with electrical brain waves and memory storage, especially for short-term memory. This will affect learning. The effects of marijuana do not fade faster if eating occurs after use. Marijuana use is not linked to physical performance or blood pressure.

Question 10

The nurse is caring for an adolescent who has been diagnosed with obesity. Which nursing diagnosis would the best for the nurse to use when planning this patient's care?

Accepted Answer

The nursing diagnosis most appropriate for an adolescent with obesity is ineffective individual coping by overeating. The risk for low self-esteem could be due to acne or other physical body changes in adolescence. The patient may or may not have anxiety related to normal growth and development. The patient is not demonstrating
health-seeking behaviors.

Question 11

The nurse is caring for an adolescent who is physically challenged. Which activity should the nurse suggest that will foster the developmental task of adolescence?

Accepted Answer

According to Erikson, the developmental task in early and mid-adolescence is to form a sense of identity versus role confusion. Main areas in which an adolescent must make gains to achieve a sense of identity include accepting a changed body image. Talking to another adolescent with the same disorder will help the patient achieve the developmental task of identity. Watching television, deciding when to take a bath, or having schoolwork provided while hospitalized does not support the developmental task of adolescence.

Question 12

The nurse instructs an adolescent on the hazards of body piercings and tattoos. Which outcome indicates that teaching has been effective?

Accepted Answer

Evidence that teaching about body piercings and tattoos has been effective is the patient refuses to get eyebrow pierced with girlfriends. Getting any type of tattoo or body piercing on a body location indicates that teaching has not been effective.

Question 13

An adolescent comes into the emergency department with a foot wound. Upon assessment, the nurse learns that the patient is a runaway and has been living on the streets. Which is the most appropriate care for the nurse to provide to the patient at this time?

Accepted Answer

The nurse is not aware of the adolescent runaway's family situation so suggesting returning home with parents may or may not be appropriate. Because the adolescent runaway has no money for any kind of food, giving instructions to eat foods high in protein and vitamin C makes no sense. If the adolescent runaway does not have a source of running water, telling them to flush the wound with water every 4 hours will be impossible. The best care at this time would be for the nurse to treat the adolescent runaway's wound and provide with wound care supplies.

Question 14

During a routine health checkup, an adolescent patient expresses concern about being sexually active at such a young age. What can the nurse instruct the patient with sexual issues? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Health teaching guidelines for adolescents regarding sexual activity include not being influenced by friends regarding sex, knowing that there is no 100% method to prevent pregnancy, learning about and practicing safe sexual techniques, and sexual activity does not harm physical strength or general wellness. Adolescence is not the time when all sexual activity begins. Sexual activity is an individual activity that is based on level of maturity.

Question 15

The nurse is caring for a chronically ill adolescent patient. What can the nurse do to maintain stimulation and support the patient's sense of identity while hospitalized?

Accepted Answer

To encourage stimulation while supporting the adolescent patient's sense of identity while hospitalized, the nurse should encourage the patient to communicate with friends through social media. Planning activities around rest periods does not promote stimulation. Explaining food choices does not promote stimulation. Learning about medications does not promote stimulation.

Quiz 33: Nursing Care of a Family With an Adolescent