A nurse is reviewing assessment findings for a 9-year-old child whose family home was destroyed in a wildfire. The nurse should identify that which of the following behaviors is related to the traumatic experience?

Choice A rationale
Families that are isolated from other people, such as extended family, friends, and neighbors, are not typically considered a protective factor against adverse childhood experiences. Social isolation can actually increase the risk of mental health issues, as it can lead to feelings of loneliness and lack of social support.
Choice B rationale
Families where caregivers have college degrees or higher can often provide a more stable environment, both emotionally and financially. Higher levels of education are often linked to

better understanding of child development and more effective parenting strategies. Additionally, higher education is often associated with higher income, which can reduce stressors related to financial instability.
Choice C rationale
Families that include young caregivers or single parents can face additional stressors, such as financial strain and lack of social support, which can increase the risk of adverse childhood experiences. Therefore, this is not typically considered a protective factor.
Choice D rationale
Children who don’t feel close to their guardians and don’t feel loved are at a higher risk of developing mental health disorders. Feeling unloved and uncared for can lead to feelings of insecurity, low self-esteem, and difficulty forming healthy relationships later in life.

Choice A rationale
The adolescent’s experimentation with drugs could be a coping mechanism to deal with the trauma of the sexual assault and the subsequent posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Substance use, including drug use, is often a maladaptive coping strategy used by individuals

who have experienced trauma to numb their feelings, escape from their reality, or attempt to regain control. This must indeed be a difficult time for both the adolescent and the parent.
Choice B rationale
While experimentation is a part of normal adolescent behavior, it is not normal or healthy for an adolescent to use drugs, especially in response to a traumatic event such as a sexual assault. Drug use can lead to addiction, health problems, and further psychological distress. Therefore, it is something to be concerned about and addressed appropriately.
Choice C rationale
While it is important to understand and address the parent’s concerns, the focus should be on the adolescent’s needs. The adolescent is dealing with the aftermath of a sexual assault and a diagnosis of PTSD, and is using drugs. These are serious issues that need to be addressed with professional help. The question of which behavior to address first should be determined based on the adolescent’s immediate safety and well-being.
Choice D rationale
It is not helpful to label the adolescent’s behavior as misbehavior or to compare them to their siblings. Each child is unique and may react differently to stress and trauma. Instead of focusing on rules and comparisons, it would be more beneficial to provide support, understanding, and appropriate professional help.