NCLEX: An 8-year-old child at a school health screening is being evaluated for developmental expectations for school-age…

Psychology / lifespan development Health Promotion and Maintenance

Case Study

An 8-year-old child at a school health screening is being evaluated for developmental expectations for school-age development. Assessment data include the child reports bullying and declining school performance. Before teaching, what should the nurse assess first?

Question

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

Rationale

Correct answer: B. 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: Foundational

Difficulty: Easy

Subtopic: School-age development