Question

An 18-month-old patient is brought into the clinic for evaluation because the parent is concerned. The 18-month-old child hits siblings and says only "No" when communicating verbally. Which recommendation by the nurse will be best for this situation?

a. Assure the mother that the child is developmentally within specified norms.
b. Refer the child to a developmental specialist for further evaluation.
c. Suggest enrolling the child in a behavioral intervention program.
d. Advise the parent to ignore the behavior, as it is likely a passing phase.

Answer 1

The nurse's best recommendation for this situation would be to refer the child to a developmental specialist for further evaluation

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse's best recommendation for this situation would be to refer the child to a developmental specialist for further evaluation (option b).

At 18 months old, it is concerning that the child hits siblings and has limited verbal communication, only saying "No." These behaviors may be indicators of developmental delays or difficulties. Therefore, it would be beneficial to have the child evaluated by a specialist who can assess their development more comprehensively and provide appropriate interventions or recommendations to address the concerns.