Question

During a well child exam of a schoolage child, the primary care pediatric nurse practitioner learns that the child has been having angry episodes at school. The nurse practitioner observes the child to appear withdrawn and sad. Which action is appropriate?

a. Ask the child and the parent about stressors at home
b. Make a referral to a child behavioral specialist
c. Provide information about anger management
d. Suggest consideration of a different

Answer 1

The appropriate action for a primary care pediatric nurse practitioner to take when a school-age child is having angry episodes and appears withdrawn and sad is to ask about stressors at home.

Step-by-step explanation:

The appropriate action for a primary care pediatric nurse practitioner to take when a school-age child is having angry episodes and appears withdrawn and sad is to ask the child and the parent about stressors at home (option a). By doing so, the nurse practitioner can gather more information about potential underlying causes for the child's behavior.

This can help in identifying any triggers or issues that may be contributing to the anger and sadness. Making a referral to a child behavioral specialist (option b), providing information about anger management (option c), or suggesting consideration of a different medication (option d) may not be the first course of action, as further assessment is needed.