Practice Question
A nurse is assisting with the care of a 13-year-old who has an atrial septal defect (ASD). Their caregivers raise concerns regarding mood changes, reporting the child seems more anxious and worried than usual over the past year. Considering the diagnosis of ASD, which of the following responses is appropriate for the nurse to make?
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
"Children with ASD are at greater risk for experiencing anxiety."
Rationale:
💠 Children with a chronic medical condition like an atrial septal defect (ASD) are at greater risk for anxiety because of ongoing concerns about health, procedures, and limitations.
💠 Living with a heart defect can cause worry about fatigue, exercise tolerance, and future health, which may show as increased anxiety or mood changes over time.
💠 The statement acknowledges a true association between chronic illness and emotional/psychological impact, without stereotyping or pathologizing every child.
💠 This response validates the caregivers’ concerns and recognizes that anxiety is a known, higher-risk outcome for children with serious or chronic health issues.
💠 It also opens the door to further assessment, support, and referral (e.g., counseling), which is appropriate nursing practice for holistic care.
“Children may become anxious when they have to be in a health care setting.”
💠 This statement is partly true—many children do experience situational anxiety in health care environments, especially with procedures and unfamiliar staff.
💠 However, it minimizes the caregivers’ concern by making the anxiety sound like a normal, short-term reaction, rather than something that has been happening over a full year.
💠 It fails to address the role of a chronic cardiac condition in contributing to ongoing anxiety, and does not acknowledge that these children are at higher emotional risk.
💠 The response does not encourage further evaluation or consideration of mental health support, which is important when symptoms persist.
💠 So although it contains some truth, it is not the most appropriate or therapeutic response in this context.
“All children with ASD have mood disorders.”
💠 This statement is incorrect and overly generalized, suggesting that every child with ASD (atrial septal defect) has a mood disorder, which is not accurate.
💠 Not all children with cardiac defects will develop anxiety, depression, or other mood disorders—they are at higher risk, but not universally affected.
💠 Using absolute language like “all” is non-therapeutic and can unnecessarily alarm or stigmatize the family.
💠 It also ignores the importance of individual variation and the need for assessment rather than blanket assumptions.
💠 Because it is factually wrong and emotionally insensitive, this response is not appropriate.
“Worrying is normal for this age group.”
💠 While adolescents often experience some level of worry due to developmental changes, school, peers, and identity issues, this statement dismisses the caregivers’ concern.
💠 Saying it is “normal” ignores the presence of a chronic heart condition and new mood changes developing over the past year, which should prompt further assessment.
💠 It risks normalizing potentially significant anxiety, delaying support or intervention that the child might need.
💠 The statement offers no education, validation, or guidance, which is not therapeutic.
💠 Therefore, this is not an appropriate nursing response, especially in a child with a known cardiac diagnosis.
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This question is from Custom PNSG Respiratory Cardiac Exam Fall 2025 which contains 42 questions.
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From Exam
Custom PNSG Respiratory Cardiac Exam Fall 2025
42 Questions
View Full Exam Start PracticingQuestion Details
- Category: LPN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: LPN ATI Exams
- Domain: 💫PN Custom Exam(s)
- Answer Choices: 4