A community health nurse is assessing an adolescent who is pregnant. Which of the following assessments is the nurse's priority?
Explanation & Rationale
Rationale: A. Social relationship with peers: Evaluating peer relationships helps determine the client’s emotional support system, which can influence stress levels and coping during pregnancy. However, this assessment does not pose an immediate impact on the physiologic wellbeing of the mother or fetus. It becomes more relevant after ensuring that no urgent health concerns are present. B. Plans for attending school while pregnant: Exploring educational plans is important for long-term stability and preventing adverse socioeconomic outcomes. Although valuable for overall wellbeing, it is not an immediate safety concern. Educational planning should be addressed after assessing the pregnancy for factors that directly affect maternal–fetal health. C. Understanding of infant care: Assessing knowledge of infant care helps identify educational needs before delivery and supports better neonatal outcomes. However, this is a future-oriented consideration and does not address the adolescent’s immediate health status. It becomes appropriate once urgent physiologic needs are evaluated. D. Current nutritional status: Adolescents already have increased nutritional requirements for their own growth, and pregnancy further elevates these demands. Poor nutrition can lead to anemia, low birth weight, preterm birth, and delayed fetal growth, making it a priority assessment. Ensuring adequate maternal nutrition directly influences fetal development and reduces preventable complications.