Chapter 6. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Disorders
1. A nurse is assessing a child with a depressive disorder. Which symptom is likely to
be manifested by the child?
a. Increased nighttime waking
b. Impulsivity and distractibility
c. Carelessness and inattention to
details d. Refusal to leave the house
ANS: A
Sleep pattern disturbances are often associated with depression. These include insomnia or
hypersomnia. Impulsivity and distractibility are manifestations of attention-deficit
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A diminished ability to think or concentrate, carelessness, and
inattention to details are clinical manifestations of a depressive disorder. A refusal to leave the
house, even to play with friends, is characteristic of separation anxiety disorder.
2. A nurse is teaching parents about symptoms associated with suicide. Which statement
about suicide should the nurse include in the teaching plan?
, a. Children younger than 10 years of age do not attempt suicide.
b. A child who attempts suicide is usually depressed and has low self-
esteem. c. Suicide is usually an isolated event in a school community.
d. The suicide rate among females is higher than among males.
ANS: B
Poor self-concept and depression contribute significantly to suicidal behaviors. Children as
young as 3 years of age who have attempted suicide have been evaluated and found to be
cognizant of their actions. It is common for suicide to occur in a cluster within a community
(e.g., schools). Males have a higher incidence of both suicide attempts and completed
suicides.
3. What is the best response for the nurse to make to an adolescent who states, I am very sad. I
wish I wasnt alive.?
a. Everyone feels sad once in a while.
b. You are just trying to escape your
problems. c. Have you told your parents how
you feel?
d. Have you thought about hurting yourself?
ANS: D
Have you thought about hurting yourself? acknowledges the adolescents suicide gesture and
further assesses the adolescents condition. Everyone feels sad once in a while is a judgmental
response that ignores the adolescents obvious statement indicating a need for professional help.
The parents should be made aware of an adolescents precarious mental state; however, Have
you told your parents how you feel? does not address the adolescents statement.
4. A nurse is teaching parents about family relationship patterns associated with eating
disorders. Which family relationship pattern should the nurse teach that is consistent for an
adolescent female diagnosed with an eating disorder?
a. The adolescent is viewed as an extension of the parent.
b. There is an overprotective mother and an emotionally distant father.
1. A nurse is assessing a child with a depressive disorder. Which symptom is likely to
be manifested by the child?
a. Increased nighttime waking
b. Impulsivity and distractibility
c. Carelessness and inattention to
details d. Refusal to leave the house
ANS: A
Sleep pattern disturbances are often associated with depression. These include insomnia or
hypersomnia. Impulsivity and distractibility are manifestations of attention-deficit
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A diminished ability to think or concentrate, carelessness, and
inattention to details are clinical manifestations of a depressive disorder. A refusal to leave the
house, even to play with friends, is characteristic of separation anxiety disorder.
2. A nurse is teaching parents about symptoms associated with suicide. Which statement
about suicide should the nurse include in the teaching plan?
, a. Children younger than 10 years of age do not attempt suicide.
b. A child who attempts suicide is usually depressed and has low self-
esteem. c. Suicide is usually an isolated event in a school community.
d. The suicide rate among females is higher than among males.
ANS: B
Poor self-concept and depression contribute significantly to suicidal behaviors. Children as
young as 3 years of age who have attempted suicide have been evaluated and found to be
cognizant of their actions. It is common for suicide to occur in a cluster within a community
(e.g., schools). Males have a higher incidence of both suicide attempts and completed
suicides.
3. What is the best response for the nurse to make to an adolescent who states, I am very sad. I
wish I wasnt alive.?
a. Everyone feels sad once in a while.
b. You are just trying to escape your
problems. c. Have you told your parents how
you feel?
d. Have you thought about hurting yourself?
ANS: D
Have you thought about hurting yourself? acknowledges the adolescents suicide gesture and
further assesses the adolescents condition. Everyone feels sad once in a while is a judgmental
response that ignores the adolescents obvious statement indicating a need for professional help.
The parents should be made aware of an adolescents precarious mental state; however, Have
you told your parents how you feel? does not address the adolescents statement.
4. A nurse is teaching parents about family relationship patterns associated with eating
disorders. Which family relationship pattern should the nurse teach that is consistent for an
adolescent female diagnosed with an eating disorder?
a. The adolescent is viewed as an extension of the parent.
b. There is an overprotective mother and an emotionally distant father.
