NRS-420 Topic 2 Developmental Assessment Case Study
Age Group 8 to 12 years: Middle Childhood
Scenario:
Carlos is an 11-year-old Hispanic male. His father is currently incarcerated with a life sentence for the murder of
Carlos’ mother, which happened when Carlos was 10 years old. Carlos witnessed the murder of his mother and
was placed into foster care at that time. He has since been moved three times to three different foster homes due to
his physically aggressive behavior towards both pets and younger children in the foster homes. Carlos has two
younger sisters, ages two and four, who are placed with a relative of his mother. The relative did not want to take
in Carlos along with his two younger sisters.
Carlos is in the sixth grade and meeting academic and physical milestones. Carlos is bilingual and was brought to
the United States at the age of three from Guatemala. He has no known relatives besides the cousin who took in his
sisters. Carlos has been newly placed for two weeks with a foster family in a medium-sized town. He has had to
change schools for the third time since being placed in care. There are no other children in the family or any pets
in the house. Carlos tends to have a “sullen” affect and does not engage unless asked a question. The foster parent
states that she finds Carlos sleeping underneath his bed at night. The foster parent would like assistance in putting
together a plan to help Carlos.
Nursing Process:
Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation (ADPIE)
As the Department of Health Services nurse assigned to review this case, you will complete the ADPIE
utilizing the “40 Developmental Assets for Children” resource located in topic Resources. You are
required to cite a minimum of three peer-reviewed sources to complete this assignment. Sources must be
published within the past 5 years, appropriate for the assignment criteria, and relevant to nursing practice.
Assessment
Summarize the relevant data obtained during your assessment about the patient’s health status, including
physical, psychological, sociocultural, spiritual, and economic factors that are affecting the patient.