A 15-year-old tells the school nurse that she wants to have a baby. Which nurse response best facilitates discussion of future life implications?

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

Answer: (A)

Opening with an open-ended question that invites the teen to imagine life with a baby encourages thoughtful discussion about future plans, priorities, and readiness. It focuses on how having an infant would affect schooling, relationships, career goals, housing, and support networks, helping the nurse gauge whether the teen is considering long-term implications and has thought through the responsibilities involved.

This approach is best because it centers the teen’s own perspective and fosters a nonjudgmental dialogue. It avoids pressuring about finances, parental involvement, or obligations in a way that can feel judgmental or directive, and instead promotes reflection on what would be feasible and sustainable.

Other responses tend to address immediate logistics or rely on others’ opinions (like asking about parental involvement) or imply judgments about readiness, which can shut down discussion and miss the chance to understand the teen’s values, goals, and supports.