A 15-year-old girl tells the school nurse that she wants to have a baby. How should the nurse respond?

• A. Will you be able to support the baby?
• B. Do you have plans to continue school?
• C. Have you talked with your parents about this?
• D. Can you tell me how your life will be if you have an infant?

Answer: (C)

Opening a conversation that invites parental involvement is the appropriate first step when an adolescent expresses interest in pregnancy. This response signals support and helps determine the teen’s available support system, safety, and resources. By asking if she has talked with her parents, the nurse creates an opportunity to engage a trusted adult who can help her navigate medical, educational, and psychosocial consequences of teen pregnancy, while staying nonjudgmental. It also lays groundwork to discuss essential topics such as pregnancy options, prenatal care if pregnancy occurs, contraception to prevent or space future pregnancies, STI screening, and plans for school and future health. This approach respects the teen’s context and fosters a supportive network, which is more constructive at this moment than questions about finances or hypothetical life scenarios, which don’t promptly connect her to family support and comprehensive guidance.