The nurse has instructed a group of parents about common adolescent behavior. Which comment by the parent would indicate the most urgent need for further discussion?

Question

a. "I guess my daughter won't be asking my opinion very much."
b. "I'm really going to watch my daughter's eating habits."
c. "We are really going to have to think about rules we want to enforce after he gets his driver's license."
d. "We don't keep alcohol in the house, so that's at least one thing we don't need to worry about."

Answer 1

D
Concerns about alcohol intake during adolescence are highest priority, regardless of whether or not it is stored in the home. Alcohol-related injury and death are a risk that should be avoided in every circumstance. Not having alcohol in the house does not guarantee the teenager won't consume it with his friends. During the teen years, the relationships among peers strengthen and strongly influence adolescent behavior. Although the parents typically still maintain influence on the core values in the home, teens seek peers' opinions for matters about social life or concerns of everyday living. As teens are developmentally concerned with appearance and social relationships, there can be an overemphasis on body image, leading to obesity and eating disorders. Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of death for teenagers typically because of distractibility, inattention, impulsiveness, and inexperience in various driving situations.