Insitution
Owing to the fact that adolescents face multiple challenges as they mature into adulthood, there is a need to set aside proper strategies to mitigate these setbacks. In fact, a large section of adolescents finds it hard coming to terms with their maturation during the puberty period. As such, a proper health teaching plan is imperative in neutralizing the challenges faced by adolescents. The health teaching plan should include influential approaches to define the nature of the problem experienced and the most rational approach to take in neutralizing it. This paper highlights the elements that should be included in a health teaching plan while addressing certain challenges.
Guidance and counselling should be administered to adolescents facing the physical challenges associated with puberty. According to Elderman, Mandle and Kudzma (2014), children in this age bracket begin to be sexually active during this period. As such, they experience some physical challenges due to the growth changes exhibited during this period. Therefore, nurses should discuss the issues associated with sexuality with the adolescents. Specifically, the need to abstain from any sexual activity regardless of the hormonal imbalance during this stage to avert the possibilities of contacting sexually transmitted diseases. Additionally, nurses should enlighten the adolescents on the measures to be taken before having unprotected sexual contact or after this process. This approach will prevent the development of sexually transmitted infections. Moreover, they should also provide awareness of their bodies and how they should take care of them.
On the other hand, nurses should focus on neutralizing emotional challenges associated with puberty. Little sleep or lack thereof may contribute to mood swings and behavioral problems. An adolescent should sleep for a minimum of eight hours in order to be healthy. Lack of sleep may also prevent one from being very productive during the day as may experience a feeling of being exhausted. Thus adolescent should also be advised on a proper sleeping pattern.
Adolescents should deal with the social challenges associated with puberty through proper communication. Nurses should advise parents to listen to their children and they can negotiate to certain point (Elderman, Mandle & Kudzma, 2014). Through this approach, problems emerging from lack of communication will be eliminated.
In conclusion, the challenges that adolescent undergo are normal and every person goes through such a stage. However, taking a rightful approach whilst dealing with these problems can make the lives of the adolescents less challenging. The plan specified above can be utilized in dealing with these challenges for the betterment of the lives of the adolescents.
Work cited
Edelman, C., Mandle, C. L., & Kudzma, E. C. (2014). Health promotion throughout the life span (8th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.
