A parent is concerned that her 16-year-old is spending most of his time away from the family in his room and does not want to be involved in family activities he used to enjoy. What action by the nurse is best?
a. Reassure the parent the teen is exerting independence.
b. Ask the parent about the teen's friends and activities.
c. Assess the teen for depression and possible suicide risk.
d. Refer the family to the community depression support group.
ANS: C
Teens typically begin to withdraw from the family in order to maintain privacy and exert independence, so this alone is not concerning. However, since the teen is not participating in activities he once enjoyed, the nurse should conduct a depression assessment. If the teen is depressed, the nurse should assess his suicide risk. If these screenings are normal, the nurse can reassure the parent. The teen himself is the best source of information about friends and activities, although the parent can be a good secondary source. A referral is not warranted without further assessment.
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