Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

What is an appropriate response for a mother concerned about her 3-year-old son not being toilet trained?

1. Recommend a referral to a pediatric urologist

2. Advise the mother that her child is developing normally

3. Recommend a bed-wetting alarm

4. Recommend a voiding cystogram

The correct answer is: Advise the mother that her child is developing normally

When addressing a mother's concern about her 3-year-old son's toilet training, the best response is to reassure her that her child is developing normally. It is essential to understand that children achieve developmental milestones, including toilet training, at different rates. While some children may be fully trained by this age, others may not, and this variation is typically within the range of normal development. Potty training usually starts between 2 and 3 years of age, but it can take time for each child to adapt to the process. Emphasizing normal development can help alleviate the mother's anxiety and provide her with the reassurance she needs. Additionally, guidance on the training process, such as encouraging the child gently and ensuring readiness signs are present, could be beneficial. The other options could imply an underlying issue rather than simply focusing on typical developmental progression. Referring to a specialist or suggesting medical interventions like alarms or cystograms is usually unnecessary unless there are clear signs of a medical condition, which are not indicated in this scenario. By providing reassurance and support, the mother can be encouraged to continue her efforts in a stress-free manner.