Chapter 32. Children and Adolescents
Multiple Choice
1. Which developmental characteristic should a nurse identify as typical of a client
diagnosed with severe intellectual disability?
A. The client can perform some self-care activities independently. B. The client has
advanced speech development.
C. Other than possible coordination problems, the clients psychomotor skills are not
affected. D. The client communicates wants and needs by acting out behaviors.
ANS: D
The nurse should identify that a client diagnosed with severe intellectual disability may
communicate wants
and needs by acting out behaviors. Severe intellectual disability indicates an IQ
between 20 and 34. Individuals diagnosed with severe intellectual disability require
complete supervision and have minimal verbal skills and poor psychomotor
development.
KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process:
Assessment | Client Need:
Safe and Effective Care Environment
2. Which nursing intervention related to self-care would be most appropriate for a
teenager diagnosed with moderate intellectual disability?
A. Meeting all of the clients self-care needs to avoid injury
B. Providing simple directions and praising clients independent self-care efforts
,C. Avoiding interference with the clients self-care efforts in order to promote autonomy
D. Encouraging family to meet the clients self-care needs to promote bonding
ANS: B
Providing simple directions and praise is an appropriate intervention for a teenager
diagnosed with moderate intellectual disability. Individuals with moderate intellectual
disability can perform some activities independently and may be capable of academic
skill to a second-grade level.
KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process:
Implementation | Client Need:
Safe and Effective Care Environment
3. A child has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The distraught mother
cries out, Im such a terrible mother. What did I do to cause this? Which nursing reply is
most appropriate?
A. Researchers really dont know what causes autistic disorder, but the relationship
between autistic disorder and fetal alcohol syndrome is being explored.
B. Poor parenting doesnt cause autism. Research has shown that abnormalities in
brain structure and/or function are to blame. This is beyond your control.
C. Research has shown that the mother appears to play a greater role in the
development of this disorder than the father.
D. Lack of early infant bonding with the mother has shown to be a cause of autistic
disorder. Did you breastfeed or bottle-feed?
, ANS: B
The most appropriate reply by the nurse is to explain to the parent that autism
spectrum disorder is believed to be caused by abnormalities in brain structure and/or
function, not poor parenting. Autism spectrum disorder occurs in approximately 6 per
1,000 children and is about four times more likely to occur in boys.
KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Teaching/Learning | Client
Need: Psychosocial
Integrity
4. In planning care for a child diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder, which would
be a realistic client outcome?
A. The client will communicate all needs verbally by discharge. B. The client will
participate with peers in a team sport by day 4.
C. The client will establish trust with at least one caregiver by day 5. D. The client will
perform most self-care tasks independently.
ANS: C
The most realistic client outcome for a child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder
is for the client to establish trust with at least one caregiver. Trust should be evidenced
by facial responsiveness and eye contact. This outcome relates to the nursing
diagnosis impaired social interaction.
KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Planning |
Client Need:
Psychosocial Integrity
Multiple Choice
1. Which developmental characteristic should a nurse identify as typical of a client
diagnosed with severe intellectual disability?
A. The client can perform some self-care activities independently. B. The client has
advanced speech development.
C. Other than possible coordination problems, the clients psychomotor skills are not
affected. D. The client communicates wants and needs by acting out behaviors.
ANS: D
The nurse should identify that a client diagnosed with severe intellectual disability may
communicate wants
and needs by acting out behaviors. Severe intellectual disability indicates an IQ
between 20 and 34. Individuals diagnosed with severe intellectual disability require
complete supervision and have minimal verbal skills and poor psychomotor
development.
KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process:
Assessment | Client Need:
Safe and Effective Care Environment
2. Which nursing intervention related to self-care would be most appropriate for a
teenager diagnosed with moderate intellectual disability?
A. Meeting all of the clients self-care needs to avoid injury
B. Providing simple directions and praising clients independent self-care efforts
,C. Avoiding interference with the clients self-care efforts in order to promote autonomy
D. Encouraging family to meet the clients self-care needs to promote bonding
ANS: B
Providing simple directions and praise is an appropriate intervention for a teenager
diagnosed with moderate intellectual disability. Individuals with moderate intellectual
disability can perform some activities independently and may be capable of academic
skill to a second-grade level.
KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process:
Implementation | Client Need:
Safe and Effective Care Environment
3. A child has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The distraught mother
cries out, Im such a terrible mother. What did I do to cause this? Which nursing reply is
most appropriate?
A. Researchers really dont know what causes autistic disorder, but the relationship
between autistic disorder and fetal alcohol syndrome is being explored.
B. Poor parenting doesnt cause autism. Research has shown that abnormalities in
brain structure and/or function are to blame. This is beyond your control.
C. Research has shown that the mother appears to play a greater role in the
development of this disorder than the father.
D. Lack of early infant bonding with the mother has shown to be a cause of autistic
disorder. Did you breastfeed or bottle-feed?
, ANS: B
The most appropriate reply by the nurse is to explain to the parent that autism
spectrum disorder is believed to be caused by abnormalities in brain structure and/or
function, not poor parenting. Autism spectrum disorder occurs in approximately 6 per
1,000 children and is about four times more likely to occur in boys.
KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Teaching/Learning | Client
Need: Psychosocial
Integrity
4. In planning care for a child diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder, which would
be a realistic client outcome?
A. The client will communicate all needs verbally by discharge. B. The client will
participate with peers in a team sport by day 4.
C. The client will establish trust with at least one caregiver by day 5. D. The client will
perform most self-care tasks independently.
ANS: C
The most realistic client outcome for a child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder
is for the client to establish trust with at least one caregiver. Trust should be evidenced
by facial responsiveness and eye contact. This outcome relates to the nursing
diagnosis impaired social interaction.
KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Planning |
Client Need:
Psychosocial Integrity
