A 14-year-old consistently skips classes despite disciplinary measures. What is the nurse practitioner’s recommended initial evaluation?

A 14-year-old consistently skips classes despite disciplinary measures. What is the nurse practitioner’s recommended initial evaluation?

• A. Counseling for emotional problems
• B. Development of an Individual Education Plan
• C. Evaluation for possible learning disorders
• D. Referral for a behavioral disorder

Answer: (C)

When a teen repeatedly misses school despite disciplinary actions, the first step is to look for an underlying academic reason rather than assuming it’s purely behavioral. Evaluating for a possible learning disorder directly addresses whether difficulty with reading, writing, math, or processing information is making school feel insurmountable, leading to avoidance. If a learning disability is found, targeted educational supports and accommodations can address the root barrier and often improve attendance. An Individual Education Plan is not an initial assessment but a plan that comes after identifying a disability and determining the needed services. Counseling for emotional problems can be valuable if anxiety or mood issues are present, but addressing potential learning difficulties first helps ensure the root cause isn’t missed. A referral for a behavioral disorder might be appropriate if behavior concerns persist after addressing learning needs, but the priority is to determine whether a learning impairment is contributing to the truancy.

When a teen repeatedly misses school despite disciplinary actions, the first step is to look for an underlying academic reason rather than assuming it’s purely behavioral. Evaluating for a possible learning disorder directly addresses whether difficulty with reading, writing, math, or processing information is making school feel insurmountable, leading to avoidance. If a learning disability is found, targeted educational supports and accommodations can address the root barrier and often improve attendance.

An Individual Education Plan is not an initial assessment but a plan that comes after identifying a disability and determining the needed services. Counseling for emotional problems can be valuable if anxiety or mood issues are present, but addressing potential learning difficulties first helps ensure the root cause isn’t missed. A referral for a behavioral disorder might be appropriate if behavior concerns persist after addressing learning needs, but the priority is to determine whether a learning impairment is contributing to the truancy.