The mother of a 5-year-old boy calls the nurse and seeks advice on how to assist the child with the recent death of his paternal grandfather. The boy keeps asking when his grandpa is coming back. How should the nurse respond?

A. Significant increase in brain sizE. While brain development continues during adolescence, the most significant increase in brain size occurs during early childhood rather than adolescence.

B. Ossification completed later in girls: Ossification, the process of bone formation, typically continues into late adolescence or early adulthood, and completion may occur later in girls compared to boys. This process contributes to changes in height and bone density during adolescence.

C. Decrease in heart ratE. During adolescence, there may be some changes in heart rate due to

the influence of hormones and physical growth, but a decrease in heart rate is not a consistent or universal characteristic of this developmental stage.

D. Decrease in activity of sebaceous glands: Adolescence is typically associated with an increase rather than a decrease in the activity of sebaceous glands, leading to increased oil production and the potential for acne development. Hormonal changes during puberty stimulate the sebaceous

glands, contributing to changes in skin texture and appearance.

A. "It is best to just ignore this and to not respond to his questions.": Ignoring the child's questions about the death of his grandfather may lead to feelings of confusion or abandonment. It is important to address the child's concerns and provide appropriate support and guidance.

B. "He will eventually figure this out on his own.": While children may gradually come to understand the permanence of death as they mature, it is essential to provide support and explanations to help them cope with grief and loss.

C. "You have to keep repeating that his grandfather is never coming back.": Continually

repeating that the grandfather is never coming back may be distressing for the child and does not provide constructive support or help the child understand the concept of death.

D. "This is normal; children his age do not understand the permanence of death.": This response acknowledges the child's age-appropriate understanding of death and provides reassurance to the mother that her son's reaction is typical. It opens the door for the nurse to offer guidance on how to support the child through the grieving process and gradually help him comprehend the permanence of death.