While gathering an adolescent's health history, the nurse recognizes that the patient began to act out behaviorally and engaged in risky behavior when the patient's parents divorced. Which information will the nurse gather to determine situational low self-esteem?

A) How long the parents were married
B) How the patient views behaviors
C) Why the parents are divorcing
D) Why the patient is acting out of control

A nurse can identify situational life stressors that can impact a person's self-concept. By asking about a patient's thoughts and feelings, the nurse will be able to use communication skills in a therapeutic manner. This will facilitate the patient's insight into behaviors and will enable the nurse to make referrals or provide needed health teaching. The length of time married and the reason for the parents' divorce do not explain the patient's behaviors. Why the patient is acting out of control is not as important as how the patient views actions when out of control.