Nursing Care of Families with Children - Final Exam
(Comprehensive) Actual 2025 Questions and Answers
()(Verified Answers)
autism spectrum disorder
complex developmental disorder characterized by social deficits, communication difficulties/narrow
restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors; 1 in 36 children affected
onset of autism
before age 3
**4:1 male-to-female ratio
etiology of autism
unknown - likely epigenetic (genetic + environmental)
S/S of autism (4)
1. impaired eye contact
2. repetitive behaviors
3. narrow interests
4. 50-70% have intellectual disability
treatments for autism (3)
1. behavioral therapy
2. structure/routine
3. meds (antipsychotics for behavior)
nursing care of autism (3)
1. decrease stimulation
2. involve parents
3. community referrals (individualized education program, respite care)
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
a psychological disorder marked by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that must start before
age 12, present > 6 months, and impair > 2 settings
,diagnosis of ADHD (3)
1. rating scales (Vanderbilt, SNAP-IV-26)
2. child/parent/teacher input
**often coexists with mood/anxiety/ODD/conduct disorders
treatments for ADHD (4)
1. stimulants (methylphenidate): side effects = ↓ appetite, weight loss, insomnia, may impact vertical
height (monitor)
2. structure/routine
3. chunk assignments: break down large tasks into multiple smaller ones
4. limit distractions
Tourette Syndrome
a complex neurological disorder characterized by involuntary tics, grunts, and coprolalia (compulsive
utterances that sometimes include obscenities); motor + vocal tics > 1 year
onset of Tourette Syndrome
2-16 years
Tourette Syndrome is associated with... (2)
1. OCD
2. ADHD
treatments for Tourette Syndrome (3)
1. antipsychotics (Haldol, Risperdal, Clozaril)
2. antidepressants (Prozac)
3. habit reversal
school refusal/phobia
a child's persistent distress or avoidance of attending school that usually occurs around age 10 and is
anxiety-driven; results in somatic symptoms (headache, stomachache) and tantrums
goal of treatment for school refusal/phobia
return to school ASAP
separation anxiety
developmentally inappropriate fear of separation from people with whom a child has formed an
attachment (common < 6 years); may result in nightmares, refusal to sleep without caregiver,
social/academic impairment
, causes of separation anxiety (3)
1. stress
2. family death
3. divorce
S/S of childhood depression: toddlers (3)
1. irritability
2. tantrums
3. regression
S/S of childhood depression: school age (3)
1. academic decline
2. withdrawal
3. somatic complaints
S/S of childhood depression: teens (3)
1. sadness
2. hopelessness
3. risk behaviors
treatments for childhood depression
CBT & sometimes antidepressants
What is the 3rd leading cause of death in ages 15-24?
suicide
risk factors for suicide (5)
1. active psychiatric disorder** (single most important individual risk factor)
2. depression
3. substance use
4. stress
5. relationship loss
nursing care for suicide (3)
1. screening
2. ensure safety
3. never ignore threats!!
Who is the highest risk group for suicide?
Native American youth
(Comprehensive) Actual 2025 Questions and Answers
()(Verified Answers)
autism spectrum disorder
complex developmental disorder characterized by social deficits, communication difficulties/narrow
restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors; 1 in 36 children affected
onset of autism
before age 3
**4:1 male-to-female ratio
etiology of autism
unknown - likely epigenetic (genetic + environmental)
S/S of autism (4)
1. impaired eye contact
2. repetitive behaviors
3. narrow interests
4. 50-70% have intellectual disability
treatments for autism (3)
1. behavioral therapy
2. structure/routine
3. meds (antipsychotics for behavior)
nursing care of autism (3)
1. decrease stimulation
2. involve parents
3. community referrals (individualized education program, respite care)
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
a psychological disorder marked by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that must start before
age 12, present > 6 months, and impair > 2 settings
,diagnosis of ADHD (3)
1. rating scales (Vanderbilt, SNAP-IV-26)
2. child/parent/teacher input
**often coexists with mood/anxiety/ODD/conduct disorders
treatments for ADHD (4)
1. stimulants (methylphenidate): side effects = ↓ appetite, weight loss, insomnia, may impact vertical
height (monitor)
2. structure/routine
3. chunk assignments: break down large tasks into multiple smaller ones
4. limit distractions
Tourette Syndrome
a complex neurological disorder characterized by involuntary tics, grunts, and coprolalia (compulsive
utterances that sometimes include obscenities); motor + vocal tics > 1 year
onset of Tourette Syndrome
2-16 years
Tourette Syndrome is associated with... (2)
1. OCD
2. ADHD
treatments for Tourette Syndrome (3)
1. antipsychotics (Haldol, Risperdal, Clozaril)
2. antidepressants (Prozac)
3. habit reversal
school refusal/phobia
a child's persistent distress or avoidance of attending school that usually occurs around age 10 and is
anxiety-driven; results in somatic symptoms (headache, stomachache) and tantrums
goal of treatment for school refusal/phobia
return to school ASAP
separation anxiety
developmentally inappropriate fear of separation from people with whom a child has formed an
attachment (common < 6 years); may result in nightmares, refusal to sleep without caregiver,
social/academic impairment
, causes of separation anxiety (3)
1. stress
2. family death
3. divorce
S/S of childhood depression: toddlers (3)
1. irritability
2. tantrums
3. regression
S/S of childhood depression: school age (3)
1. academic decline
2. withdrawal
3. somatic complaints
S/S of childhood depression: teens (3)
1. sadness
2. hopelessness
3. risk behaviors
treatments for childhood depression
CBT & sometimes antidepressants
What is the 3rd leading cause of death in ages 15-24?
suicide
risk factors for suicide (5)
1. active psychiatric disorder** (single most important individual risk factor)
2. depression
3. substance use
4. stress
5. relationship loss
nursing care for suicide (3)
1. screening
2. ensure safety
3. never ignore threats!!
Who is the highest risk group for suicide?
Native American youth
