The nurse is interviewing the mother of an infant. She reports, "I had a difficult delivery, and my baby was born prematurely." This information should be recorded under which heading?

The correct answer is choice A: Signs of stress.

Choice A rationale:

Children often express stress through physical complaints such as stomach pains, headaches, and fatigue. The 9-year-old's complaints of stomach pains, along with the description of aggressive and stubborn behavior, are indicative of stress. Stressors can include academic pressures, family issues, social challenges, or other emotional factors.

Choice B rationale:

Developmental delay refers to a situation where a child's developmental milestones are significantly delayed compared to their peers. This doesn't align with the presented symptoms of stomach pains, aggression, and stubbornness. These symptoms are more indicative of emotional or psychological distress.

Choice C rationale:

While a physical problem could potentially cause emotional stress, the scenario doesn't provide enough information to directly conclude that a physical problem is the primary trigger. Stomach pains could indeed result from emotional stress, and it's important to consider the child's overall well-being.

Choice D rationale:

Lack of adjustment to the school environment can lead to behavioral and emotional challenges, but it's not the most direct explanation for the symptoms described in the scenario. The combination of stomach pains and behavioral changes suggests a more immediate emotional trigger, which is often stress-related.

The correct answer is choice C. Decreased oxygen-carrying capacity of blood.

Choice A rationale:

Anemia does not primarily result in a depressed hematopoietic system. In fact, anemia often occurs due to various factors that affect red blood cell production or lifespan. The hematopoietic system can be overactive in response to anemia, attempting to compensate for the reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.

Choice B rationale:

While some anemias may involve the presence of abnormal hemoglobin (e.g., sickle cell anemia), this is not the primary result of anemia. The primary consequence of anemia is a decreased ability of the blood to carry oxygen to the body's tissues.

Choice C rationale:

The correct choice. Anemia leads to a decreased oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. Hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen, is reduced in quantity or function in various types of anemia. This results in inadequate oxygen delivery to tissues, potentially causing symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, pallor, and shortness of breath.

Choice D rationale:

Increased blood viscosity is not a primary result of anemia. Anemia tends to reduce blood viscosity because there are fewer red blood cells and less hemoglobin present, which makes the blood more fluid and less viscous. Increased blood viscosity is more commonly associated with conditions like polycythemia, where there is an excess of red blood cells.