Timothy's mom, Carol, a single parent picked him up from school for his annual examination at the doctor's office. Timothy is a little excited
because he is now 13 and last year his mom promised him that things will be a little different at the doctor.
When Carol asked Timothy if he wanted her to go into the exam room with him, his response was, "No.
Carol shared how proud she was of his academic performance and how he is growing up and agreed to
allow him to see the doctor alone. Shortly after arrival at the doctor's office, the medical assistant escorted
Timothy to the exam room to get his vitals and check him in. She showed interest in him by initiating
conversation with him using closed and open-ended questions. After completion of the initial check in, the
doctor completed the examination, asked Timothy some personal questions regarding his body and
health, and allowed Timothy to ask questions. Timothy was a compliant patient.
The doctor established rapport with Timothy to put him at ease and asked him a series of questions about
sexually transmitted diseases and sex. Considering therapeutic interaction with adolescents, which statement
best describes the doctor's behavior?
O The doctor's actions were correct because he respected Timothy's privacy and he could not assume that
Carol had discussed this topic with Timothy
Timothy is in his first year of transition from child to adolescent and it is too soon for the doctor to discuss
such an adult topic with Timothy
O The doctor should not have discussed this embarrassing topic with Timothy and should have instructed the
medical assistant to give him some pamphlets at the end of the exam,
The doctor did the right thing to scare Timothy so he won't become sexually