The school nurse is reviewing adolescent students’ incident reports.
Which observation would best indicate that the objectives of Healthy People 2030 are being met?

Answer and explanation

The correct answers are Choices A, B, C, D, and E.

Choice A rationale

Feeding assistance may be necessary for an older adult with Parkinson’s disease due to motor symptoms like tremors or stiffness that can make self-feeding difficult. Special utensils and other dining aids can help these individuals maintain their independence during meals.

Choice B rationale

People with Parkinson’s disease can experience changes in their skin, such as becoming oily or flaky. While the term “fragile skin” is not typically used in the context of Parkinson’s, these individuals may have skin that is more susceptible to damage due to these changes.

Choice C rationale

Parkinson’s disease often leads to motor symptoms such as stiff muscles and balance impairment, which can increase the risk of falls. Therefore, measures to prevent falls should be a key part of the care plan for an older adult with Parkinson’s disease.

Choice D rationale

Chronic pain is twice as common in people with Parkinson’s disease as it is in people without the condition. This pain can be caused by various factors, including muscle stiffness and dystonia (painful muscle spasms), and should be addressed in the client’s care plan.

Choice E rationale

Depression is more common in people with Parkinson’s disease compared to the general population. It’s important to monitor for signs of depression in these individuals and provide appropriate treatment if necessary.

Answer and explanation

The correct answer is Choice D.

Choice A rationale

Reviewing the child's medical records for a list of allergies or sensitivities is always a good practice during a routine check-up³?³?³?³?. However, in this case, the brownish thickening on the neck of the child may not necessarily be related to allergies or sensitivities. This symptom could be indicative of various conditions, which would require further medical evaluation.

Choice B rationale

Inspecting the child's torso and arms for other signs of physical injury is an important step if there is suspicion of physical abuse³?[^40^]?¹?². However, the symptom described by the nurse does not necessarily suggest physical trauma. Therefore, while a physical examination is part of a routine check-up, it may not directly address the child's reported symptom.

Choice C rationale

Permethrin is a medication used to treat scabies and lice¹³¹?. There is no indication in the scenario provided that the child has these conditions. Therefore, advising the parents to start treatment with permethrin would not be appropriate based on the information given.

Choice D rationale

Given the observation of a brownish thickening on the neck of the child, it would be appropriate to recommend the parents to seek further medical evaluation for the child²?²?²?. This symptom could be indicative of various conditions, which would require further investigation.