Reference no: EM133472882

Case Study: Behavioral Health in the Community

The principal escorted Audrey, aged 13, an overweightgirl with long blonde braids into the rural middle schoolnurse's office. "Ms. Schmitz will help you, Audrey." Theprincipal signaled for the girl to sit down and thenhanded Ms. Schmitz, RN, a note and left. The notebulleted three lines: "Disruptive, fighting, teacherrequests a home visit."Ms. Schmitz extended a wet facecloth while assessingAudrey's appearance. Audrey wiggledon the wooden chair wearing torn and too smallclothing, tennis shoes with holes, and a fullbackpack. "Place this on your eyes, and see if it helps."The crying child's tongue poked out theright side of her mouth and she swallowed several timesas she reached for the cloth. "Are youhurt?" asked the nurse.Audrey shook her head. "I have a sore throat though."She shrugged her shoulders. "I wishI were dead. I could jab a pencil in my eye and bleed todeath. That would fix them.""You sound pretty upset. Tell me what happened."NUR4636"Brian made fun of my tics. I can't help it. I am so tiredof people laughing at me, myclothes and my mother. I hit him with a book becausehe wouldn't stop. I bet he never thought Iwould hit him. I am not a bully, Brian is." A fresh bout ofsobbing doubled the girl in half.The nurse read Audrey's health record. Learningdisabilities, ADHD, Tourette's disorder,prenatal drug exposure, R. 20/80 and L. 20/100 vision,a normal scoliosis screening, and freelunch eligibility. The nurse searched for a telephonenumber. "I need to call your mother."The school secretary said, "There is no phone. I cangive you the case worker's contact.""Momma is sick," said Audrey and swallowed. "Shewon't answer the door".

Question 1. What will be included in the school nurse's assessment plan?

Question 2. What resources should be explored?