Question

Difficulty: MediumData Collection Techniques

During a routine wellness clinic visit for a 24-month-old toddler, the practical nurse (PN) observes the child's behavior and gathers developmental data from the parents. Which observation represents a deviation from expected developmental milestones that the PN should report to the provider?

  1. A
    The toddler is unable to balance on one foot without holding onto a stable object.
  2. B
    The toddler exhibits a temper tantrum when the parent removes a preferred toy.
  3. The toddler uses only single words and does not combine words to communicate.Answer
  4. D
    The toddler plays alongside other children in the waiting area but refuses to share toys.

Answer

The observation that the toddler uses only single words and does not combine words to communicate.
At 24 months of age, a toddler is expected to have a vocabulary of at least 50 words and be able to combine two words into simple phrases (e.g., 'want milk' or 'go bye-bye'). The inability to combine words at this stage indicates a potential expressive language delay that must be reported to the provider or RN for comprehensive assessment.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the client's age and the purpose of the data collection.
The client is a 24-month-old toddler undergoing a developmental screening.
Developmental milestones are highly age-specific, making precise age identification critical for accurate data interpretation.
2
Recall the expected motor, language, and psychosocial milestones for a 24-month-old.
Expected milestones include a 50+ word vocabulary, using 2-word phrases, running, kicking a ball, and engaging in parallel play.
Comparing collected observational data against expected physiological baselines is the core of developmental screening.
3
Evaluate each observed finding to determine if it is age-appropriate or abnormal.
Parallel play, temper tantrums, and an inability to balance on one foot are entirely normal for a 24-month-old. However, using only single words is a delay.
Recognizing which findings deviate from the norm determines what must be reported to the provider for further assessment.
4
Select the finding that represents a developmental delay.
The inability to combine words is identified as the priority reportable finding.
Early identification of expressive language delays allows for timely intervention and support.

Key Concept

Pediatric Growth and Developmental Data Collection
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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