Question

The nurse working in an adult medical clinic wishes to learn more about a developmental theory that focuses on the adult years. The nurse investigates different possibilities and selects the theory proposed by:

1. Gould
2. Piaget
3. Freud
4. Chess and Thomas

Answer 1

Erik Erikson's psychosocial development theory is most relevant for a nurse in an adult medical clinic seeking a developmental theory that focuses on the adult years, as it covers the entire lifespan.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse working in an adult medical clinic looking to understand a developmental theory that focuses on the adult years should consider the theory proposed by Erik Erikson. Unlike Piaget, who emphasized children's cognitive development, or Freud, who theorized psychosexual stages primarily during early childhood, Erik Erikson developed a theory of psychosocial development that acknowledges the growth and challenges people face throughout their entire lifespan, including adulthood. Erikson's stages of development describe the impact of social experience across the whole lifespan, which makes it highly relevant for someone working with adults in a clinical setting.