A mother brings her preteen daughter to the clinic for her first female examination. During the health assessment, the nurse should implement which technique to determine if the client has reached the age of menarche?

Choice A reason: Assessing for presence of a supernumerary breast nipple is not a relevant technique to determine if the client has reached the age of menarche. A supernumerary breast nipple is an extra nipple that develops along the embryonic milk line, usually in the chest or abdomen. It is a congenital anomaly that affects about 1% to 5% of the population, and it has no relation to the onset of menstruation.

Choice B reason: Using the Tanner staging to determine sexual maturity is a valid technique to determine if the client has reached the age of menarche. The Tanner staging is a scale that assesses the development of secondary sexual characteristics, such as breast growth, pubic hair growth, and genital development, in relation to the chronological age of the child. The Tanner staging can help estimate the stage of puberty and the likelihood of menarche, which usually occurs around Tanner stage 3 or 4 in girls.

Choice C reason: Palpating for evidence of temporary gynecomastia is not an appropriate technique to determine if the client has reached the age of menarche. Gynecomastia is the enlargement of breast tissue in males, due to hormonal imbalance, medication side effects, or other causes. It is a common condition that affects up to 70% of adolescent boys, and it usually resolves spontaneously within a few months or years. Gynecomastia has no relevance to the onset of menstruation in girls.

Choice D reason: Calculating approximate age menstruation should occur is not a reliable technique to determine if the client has reached the age of menarche. The age of menarche varies widely among individuals, depending on genetic, environmental, nutritional, and psychosocial factors. The average age of menarche in the United States is about 12.5 years, but it can range from 8 to 16 years. Therefore, calculating the approximate age of menarche based on averages or norms may not reflect the actual situation of the client.

Choice A reason: Obtaining the child's 3-day diet history based on the mother's input is a useful intervention to assess the child's nutritional intake and identify any unhealthy eating habits or patterns. The nurse can use the diet history to provide individualized and evidence-based dietary advice and counseling to the mother and the child, such as reducing the intake of sugar-sweetened beverages, increasing the intake of fruits and vegetables, and limiting the portion sizes.

Choice B reason: Explaining that the child is likely to grow into her weight is not a helpful intervention and may be misleading or harmful. It may give the mother and the child a false sense of reassurance and discourage them from making any lifestyle changes. It may also ignore the potential health risks and psychosocial consequences of childhood obesity, such as diabetes, hypertension, low self-esteem, and bullying.

Choice C reason: Telling the mother that girls hit their growth spurt before boys so eating more is expected is not a valid intervention and may be inaccurate or inappropriate. It may imply that the child's obesity is normal or inevitable, which is not true. It may also overlook the fact that the child's weight and height are disproportionate and do not match the growth charts for her age and gender.

Choice D reason: Inquiring as to whether or not the school has a physical education program is not a sufficient intervention and may be irrelevant or ineffective. It may not address the child's specific physical activity needs and preferences, or the barriers and facilitators to physical activity in the home and community settings. It may also shift the responsibility and accountability from the mother and the child to the school.

Choice E reason: Determining the child's usual physical activity pattern is a beneficial intervention to evaluate the child's energy expenditure and identify any sedentary behaviors or activities. The nurse can use the physical activity pattern to provide individualized and evidence-based physical activity recommendations and guidance to the mother and the child, such as increasing the frequency, intensity, and duration of moderate to vigorous physical activity, reducing the screen time, and engaging in fun and enjoyable physical activities..