Pediatric Nursing: Growth and Development Flashcards

A nurse assesses an adolescent for Tanner staging. This system primarily evaluates:

Answer: Sexual maturity and secondary sex characteristics

Tanner stages describe the progression of secondary sexual characteristics during puberty.

According to Erikson, the central conflict of adolescence is:

Answer: Identity vs. role confusion

Adolescents work to form a coherent sense of self in the identity vs. role confusion stage.

Which is typically the first sign of puberty in females?

Answer: Thelarche (breast budding)

Breast budding (thelarche) is usually the first observable sign of puberty in girls.

An adolescent engages in risk-taking behavior, feeling 'nothing bad will happen to me.' This reflects:

Answer: The personal fable

The personal fable is an adolescent belief in personal uniqueness and invulnerability.

When obtaining a health history from a 15-year-old, the nurse should:

Answer: Provide time alone to discuss confidential topics

Adolescents need private time to honestly discuss confidential matters such as sexual activity and substance use.

Which nutritional concern is most common during the adolescent growth spurt?

Answer: Increased iron and calcium needs

Rapid growth and, in females, menstruation increase the adolescent's need for iron and calcium.

Peer group influence is strongest during which developmental stage?

Answer: Adolescence

Adolescents rely heavily on peer acceptance, which strongly shapes behavior and identity.