08-26-2010, 11:03 AM
35. A 12-year-old Haitian boy is brought to the health center for the first time by his mother and maternal grandmother. The mother states, "There was a voodoo curse placed on my family and now my son is having problems because of that." She reports that for the past 6 months he has been talking back to his teachers, has been suspended from school for skipping class, and has been defiant with all adults. He is failing two subjects in school and will need to attend summer classes. His medical history is significant for an allergy to sulfa drugs, a positive PPD skin test for which he was treated prophylactically at age 10 years, and encopresis that resolved. He currently takes no medications. The patient is 163 cm (5 ft 4 in) tall and weighs 49 kg (108 lb). Vital signs are: temperature 37.0°C (98.6°F), pulse 80/min, respirations 18/min and blood pressure 90/50 mm Hg. Which of the following is the most appropriate opening statement to the mother?
A) "Do you think your son may be taking drugs?"
B) "I suggest you consult a voodoo priest for help with this problem."
C) "Tell me more about the voodoo and its effect on your son's behavior.
D) "There is no such thing as voodoo."
E) "Voodoo does not cause children to have bad behavior."