A nurse is interviewing a 12-year-old child in an outpatient psychiatric setting. Which of the following would be most appropriate for the nurse to say to establish a high degree of credibility?
- A. How would you describe your parents?
- B. Tell me about your best friend.
- C. I have several teddy bears; would you like one to hold?
- D. You?d get along better with your parents if you?d follow their advice.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Asking about the child?s best friend (B) is age-appropriate and non-threatening, building rapport and credibility. Asking about parents (A) may feel confrontational, offering a teddy bear (C) is too juvenile for a 12-year-old, and giving advice (D) is judgmental and undermines trust.
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A nurse is preparing to assess a 9-year-old child who has been sexually abused. Which of the following would be the priority for the nurse?
- A. Finding out when the abuse occurred
- B. Documenting the assessment for use in court
- C. Using anatomically correct dolls to elicit information
- D. Ensuring that the environment is safe and supportive
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Ensuring a safe and supportive environment (D) is the priority to reduce trauma and build trust during assessment. Timing (A), documentation (B), and dolls (C) are secondary to creating a secure setting for the child.
A nurse is preparing to interview a 4-year-old preschooler. Which of the following would be most effective to use for the assessment?
- A. Direct, simple questions
- B. Play materials such as blocks
- C. Pediatric anxiety rating scale
- D. Children?s Depression Inventory
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Play materials like blocks (B) engage a 4-year-old, allowing expression through play, which is developmentally appropriate. Direct questions (A) may overwhelm, and rating scales (C, D) are less suitable for preschoolers.
To establish rapport with a 10-year-old child who is hospitalized in a psychiatric setting, which statement by the nurse would be most appropriate?
- A. Let?s compare your situation to that of Cinderella?s in the fairy tale.
- B. I?m going to use the DECA tool to measure your self-control and initiative.
- C. Let?s have you draw a picture of yourself.
- D. Would you like to play a game of checkers with me?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Playing a game like checkers (D) is an engaging, non-threatening way to build rapport with a 10-year-old. Comparing to a fairy tale (A) may confuse, mentioning assessment tools (B) is too clinical, and drawing (C) may feel directive before trust is established.
A group of nursing students is reviewing information about stress and coping in children. The students demonstrate a need for additional study when they identify which of the following as a stressful experience for a child?
- A. Death of a pet
- B. Chronic illness
- C. Racial discrimination
- D. Social support
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Social support (D) is a coping resource, not a stressor. Death of a pet (A), chronic illness (B), and racial discrimination (C) are recognized stressors for children.
A nurse is preparing to complete a mental status examination of an adolescent who is experiencing behavioral problems at school. When assessing the adolescent?s thought processes, which of the following would the nurse need to keep in mind about this age group? Select all that apply.
- A. View of things in a concrete manner
- B. Ability to look at things hypothetically
- C. Beginning ability to use logic
- D. Ability to use abstract thinking
- E. Difficulty in putting feelings into words
Correct Answer: B,C,D,E
Rationale: Adolescents develop hypothetical thinking (B), logical reasoning (C), abstract thinking (D), and often struggle to verbalize feelings (E). Concrete thinking (A) is more typical of younger children.
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