Final answer:
The nurse is encouraging the child's independence by giving her the option to decide whether her mother should stay or leave during the medical exam. The action respects the child's privacy and growing autonomy while also balancing the parental right to be informed and involved in the child's healthcare.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse's action of giving a 10-year-old girl the option of her mother staying in the room or leaving during a physical assessment should be considered as encouraging independence. This action recognizes the evolving autonomy of the child and respects her comfort and privacy during the medical examination. In many healthcare settings, it is a standard practice to ask children, particularly as they get older, their preferences regarding parental presence during a medical check-up to ensure their comfort. This does not mean that clinicians should exclude parents from the medical process, rather it acknowledges the child's growing agency.
Questions related to patient privacy can be complex when it comes to minors. Healthcare professionals must balance the rights of the child for confidentiality with the parental rights to know about the child's health, especially in cases where the child's behaviour may put their health at risk. Informed consent for medical treatment for minors is usually provided by parents or guardians, and this often includes being present during medical examinations. However, the child's wish for privacy should also be taken into account, especially as they approach adolescence.