Question

Difficulty: EasyDevelopmental Stages and Transitions

A practical nurse is reinforcing teaching with the family of a 14-year-old client regarding normal psychosocial development. Which behavior should the nurse identify as a normal developmental finding for this client?

  1. Demonstrating a strong desire to conform to peer group standardsAnswer
  2. B
    Engaging in parallel play alongside other children without interaction
  3. C
    Relying strictly on caregivers to initiate basic self-care activities
  4. D
    Exhibiting sudden periods of acute confusion and memory loss

Answer

Demonstrating a strong desire to conform to peer group standards
During adolescence (ages 12 to 18), the primary psychosocial task is developing a sense of personal identity. Peer relationships become the most important social influence, and teenagers typically demonstrate a strong desire to conform to the standards, dress, and behaviors of their peer group as they explore who they are outside of the family unit.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the client's developmental age group based on the provided age.
The client is 14 years old, which places them in the adolescent developmental stage.
Developmental milestones and expectations are heavily dependent on the specific age and life stage of the client.
2
Correlate the adolescent stage with expected psychosocial transitions.
According to Erikson's theory, adolescents are in the 'Identity versus Role Confusion' stage, where social dynamics shift significantly toward peer relationships.
Understanding psychosocial theories allows the nurse to differentiate normal behaviors from abnormal ones.
3
Evaluate the given options to find the behavior that matches adolescent development.
Conforming to peer group standards is the correct expected behavior.
The other options describe behaviors typical of toddlers, infants, or abnormal pathological states.

Key Concept

Adolescent Psychosocial Development (Identity vs. Role Confusion)
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