NCLEX: A 16-year-old adolescent at a primary care visit is being evaluated for developmental expectations for adolescent…

Psychology / lifespan development Health Promotion and Maintenance

Case Study

A 16-year-old adolescent at a primary care visit is being evaluated for developmental expectations for adolescent development. Assessment data include the adolescent reports feeling unsafe in a dating relationship. Before teaching, what should the nurse assess first?

Question

A. Begin a long lecture while the client is in acute distress.
B. Assume understanding without checking literacy or readiness.
C. Immediate safety, readiness to learn, literacy, cultural needs, barriers, and baseline understanding.
D. Delegate all teaching without RN evaluation of learning needs.

Rationale

Correct answer: C. Immediate safety, readiness to learn, literacy, cultural needs, barriers, and baseline understanding.

Rationale: Teaching is effective only after safety and learning readiness are confirmed; the RN cannot delegate assessment of learning needs on unstable clients.

Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.

Level: Clinical

Difficulty: Medium

Subtopic: Adolescent development