Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN)

A mother expresses concern about her 2-year-old being non-verbal. What is the most appropriate nursing response?

1. Try not to worry. Language milestones vary. Boys have a tendency to lag behind girls

2. We should probably test his hearing to be sure that is not the source of his delayed language skills

3. Autism is the most frequent reason why children as old as 2 are non-verbal

4. Let's look at your son's birth order as a predictor of language skills development

The correct answer is: We should probably test his hearing to be sure that is not the source of his delayed language skills

The most appropriate nursing response focuses on addressing the potential underlying causes of a child's delayed language skills, and testing the child's hearing is a critical first step in this process. Hearing is essential for language acquisition; if a child cannot hear well, it will greatly affect their ability to develop verbal communication skills. By suggesting a hearing test, the nurse is prioritizing a thorough assessment to rule out impaired hearing as a contributing factor to the child’s non-verbal status. This approach aligns with a comprehensive assessment strategy in pediatric nursing, which often involves considering physiological aspects before jumping to conclusions about developmental delays. Conducting a hearing test can provide valuable information and guide subsequent interventions. It shows sensitivity to the mother's concerns and a proactive stance in determining the cause of her child's communication issues.