Wong's Essentials of Pediatric Nursing 11th Edition Test Bank - Health Promotion of the School Age Child and Family Related

Review Wong's Essentials of Pediatric Nursing 11th Edition Test Bank - Health Promotion of the School Age Child and Family related questions and content

A 9-year-old girl often comes to the school nurse complaining of stomach pains. Her teacher says she is completing her school work satisfactorily but lately has been somewhat aggressive and stubborn in the classroom. The school nurse should recognize this as which?

  • A. Signs of stress
  • B. Developmental delay
  • C. Lack of adjustment to school environment
  • D. Physical problem that needs medical intervention
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Signs of stress include stomach pains or headache, sleep problems, bedwetting, changes in eating habits, aggressive or stubborn behavior, reluctance to participate, or regression to earlier behaviors. The child is completing school work satisfactorily; any developmental delay would have been diagnosed earlier. The teacher reports that this is a departure from the childs normal behavior. Adjustment issues would most likely be evident soon after a change. Medical intervention is not immediately required. Recognizing that this constellation of symptoms can indicate stress, the nurse should help the child identify sources of stress and how to use stress reduction techniques. The parents are involved in the evaluation process.