A school nurse is assessing an adolescent client who indicates they have been experiencing depression due to a recent move.
Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement?

Choice A rationale
Minimizing contact with a patient who is angry can create a barrier in the nurse-patient relationship. It’s important for nurses to address the patient’s anger and work through it rather than avoid it.
Choice B rationale
While it’s crucial to explain the importance of treatments, language barriers can make this difficult. The nurse should use a translator or other resources to ensure the patient fully understands.
Choice C rationale
Using clinical terminology can confuse patients who are not familiar with medical jargon. It’s better to use simple, understandable language.
Choice D rationale
Fulfilling promises builds trust and rapport. By allowing a patient to visit with family members, the nurse shows they are reliable and trustworthy.

This scenario requires applying knowledge of mental health resilience and protective factors. To answer, one must distinguish between risk factors, such as maternal age or family instability, and positive childhood experiences, like supportive adult relationships, which mitigate the impact of anxiety disorders.

Choice A rationale: Maternal age at birth is often considered a social determinant of health rather than a protective factor. Adolescents born to teenage parents may face higher socio-economic challenges, which are generally categorized as potential risk factors for stress.

Choice B rationale: Having parents in the military is a demographic characteristic that often involves unique stressors. While military families can be supportive, the career itself is not inherently a protective childhood experience without further context regarding family dynamics.

Choice C rationale: Moving frequently, or high residential mobility, is typically viewed as a risk factor for adolescent anxiety. Frequent moves can disrupt social support networks, peer relationships, and educational consistency, potentially exacerbating symptoms of an anxiety disorder.

Choice D rationale: A supportive relationship with a non-parental adult, such as a teacher, is a significant protective factor. Positive childhood experiences involving being heard and supported build resilience and provide an emotional buffer against the effects of anxiety.