A nurse is preparing to perform a physical examination for a 16-year-old adolescent. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?

A. Encourage the parents to remain in the room: Adolescents benefit from privacy during a physical examination to promote trust, autonomy, and open communication about sensitive issues. Parents may be asked to step out during parts of the exam, so keeping them present at all times is not recommended. B. Avoid using medical terminology during the examination: While explanations should be clear, avoiding all medical terminology can limit the adolescent’s understanding. Using age-appropriate language along with brief medical terms helps the adolescent learn about their health and fosters health literacy. C. Allow the adolescent to handle the equipment: Allowing the adolescent to interact with examination tools (e.g., stethoscope, blood pressure cuff) reduces anxiety, promotes engagement, and increases cooperation. Hands-on involvement empowers the adolescent and helps them feel more comfortable during the assessment. D. Limit the adolescent's choices throughout the examination: Providing choices whenever possible, such as the order of nonurgent assessments or clothing options, supports autonomy and collaboration. Restricting choices can increase resistance and reduce the adolescent’s comfort.