You are an adult gerontology nurse practitioner working in a community health center. You are seeing a 14-year-old adolescent patent for an annual visit. The patient’s mother is also present during the visit and notes that the patient’s grades in school have been declining. Her son is also hanging out with a group of kids that she has concerns about. The mother has concerns for what is going on with her son. Answer the following questions using course resources (texts) and two other evidence-based sources (current guidelines and/or scholarly articles that are within a 3-5 year time frame).
- What are the components of an annual exam for an adolescent patient?
- Is the mother required to be present during your exam?
- Describe 1 health promotion idea that you would discuss with your middle adolescence patient. Why is this idea important?
- What are some screening tools that might be of importance in this situation? (hint: do you suspect drug or alcohol abuse here?)
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
As a medical professional, it is important to approach each patient encounter with empathy and care. This particular scenario involves a 14-year-old adolescent patient who is experiencing academic and social difficulties, with the mother present during the visit. In this answer, we will review the recommended components of an annual exam for adolescent patients, discuss whether the mother is required to be present during the exam, propose a health promotion idea for middle adolescence patients, and identify screening tools that may be relevant to the situation.
1. What are the components of an annual exam for an adolescent patient?
An annual exam for an adolescent patient should include a comprehensive health assessment, including a full physical exam, vital sign assessment, developmental assessment, and immunization review. Additionally, screening for mental health concerns, substance use, and sexual health should be carried out during the appointment. A review of the patient’s medical history and family history will also be conducted.
2. Is the mother required to be present during your exam?
The presence of a parent or guardian during an adolescent’s annual exam is not mandatory. However, it may be beneficial for the parent to be involved in the process, as it can provide insight into the adolescent’s overall health and behavior.
3. Describe 1 health promotion idea that you would discuss with your middle adolescence patient. Why is this idea important?
One health promotion idea that can be discussed with a middle adolescence patient is the importance of physical activity. Encouraging regular exercise at this stage can promote healthy habits that can be carried into adulthood, leading to a healthier lifestyle and a reduced risk of chronic diseases.
4. What are some screening tools that might be of importance in this situation? (hint: do you suspect drug or alcohol abuse here?)
Given concerns about the adolescent’s social circle, it may be important to screen for drug or alcohol use. Screening tools such as the CRAFFT (Car, Relax, Alone, Forget, Friends, Trouble) questionnaire or the NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse) Quick Screen tool can be used to identify substance use. Additionally, screening for mental health concerns with tools such as the PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) or the GAD-7 (General Anxiety Disorder-7) can also be helpful in identifying any underlying issues that may be contributing to the adolescent’s behaviors.
