When monitoring an adolescent with bone cancer for depression, which characteristic should the nurse remember?

Adolescents frequently exhibit a tendency to stay up late due to various social and biological changes that occur during this developmental stage. This behavior is often influenced by their emerging independence, social activities, and changes in circadian rhythms, which may naturally shift.

While it is true that adolescents may complain of fatigue, this is often a result of their lifestyle choices, including staying up late, rather than a clear indication of insomnia. It is essential for the nurse to recognize that staying up late does not always correlate with having trouble falling or staying asleep; rather, it may reflect their preference for delaying sleep in favor of social activities or screen time.

Understanding this characteristic encourages the nurse to monitor not just for obvious signs of depression, such as changes in mood or energy levels, but also for behavioral patterns related to sleep. This holistic view can aid in providing better care and support for adolescent patients with conditions like bone cancer, who may be susceptible to stressors that could exacerbate feelings of depression.