Adventure Time Growth & Development: Finn Mertens by Ysabelle Valera

The Growth and Development of Finn Mertens Ysabelle Valera

FINN MERTENS Finn is a happy and friendly 14 year old adolescent, but at times he can be quite handful. He lives with his adoptive parents, Joshua and Margaret, and his 13 year old brother, Jake. Since the siblings do not share the same biological parents, this family is considered a ‘blended family.’ The Mertens family own a small coffee shop and are financially stable. Both of Finn’s parents are loving, nurturing, and are very supportive. Thus, their parenting style is considered as ‘Authoritative.’

SOCIAL NETWORKS SCHOOL, FRIENDS & HOBBIES

Finn is a smart boy and is exceptionally good in mathematics, which is his favorite subject. However, he does get distracted by his social life, which is why he tends to get bad grades at times. He is stressed out about his grades because he dreams of becoming a computer engineer in the future. He has a hard time focusing on his education because all he wants at the moment is to be liked by his peers. He does get along with most of the people in his high school because he is a friendly kid. However, at times he gets teased for being ‘different.’ He has three best friends: Jake, Marceline and Princess Bubblegum. The three of them are active in school activities such as: computer and gaming club, math club, and play hockey after school.

FAMILY Lately, Finn’s parents have been complaining that he has become a little distant since he started high school. They rarely see him because he always has after school activities and spends time with his brother and friends all the time. They also never see him studying or doing chores at home, which upsets and worries his parents. His parents ensured Finn that they are there to support when he needs them but they also want him to learn to take some responsibility.

As for Finn’s relationship with Jake, they do fight at times but consider each other best friends. They both have similar hobbies and like going on ‘daily adventures’ together. They like playing video games and board games at home.

RELIGION & CULTURE The Mertens are Caucasian, middle class, and Christian. The parents are active in the community.

Physical Appearance of Finn Finn is 5 foot tall, 100 pounds, has blond hair, and has several missing teeth. He has a small round nose and a pale skin with no signs of acne. He is very thin even though he eats a lot of junk food. He is always wearing the same outfit everyday: a light blue shirt, dark blue shorts, a bear hat, and a green backpack to school. He ‘claims’ that he has multiple sets of the same shirt, pants, and hat.

Growth and Development Physical Growth

Adolescents like Finn gain about 7-30 kg in weight and 10-30 cm in height (Perry, Hockenberry, Lowdermilk, Wilson, 2014). He has gained about only 6 pounds and 10 cm since last year. Since growth typically ceases at age 18-20 for boys, this is not a concern at his age (Perry et. al., 2014). His hands and feet appear larger than normal which is normal for his age. Typically, this will be followed by an increase in the depth of his chest and the length of the trunk.

He has the characteristic of a gawky, long legged child which is normal for his age group.

His voice has become deeper since last year, but shifts from deep to high tones in the middle of a sentence. This is normal, due to the “hypertrophy of the laryngeal mucosa and enlargement of the larynx and vocal cords” (Perry et. al., 2014).

Psychosocial Development

Adolescents view themselves “according to their unique characteristics as the adolescent years progress” (Assessment Technologies Institute [ATI] , 2013). As for social development, they develop friendships that become their support system (ATI, 2013).

Finn has a very positive self-concept but tries hard to fit in with his peers. He has a unique personality but can adapt well with others.

He has a very close bond with best friends.

Fine and Gross Motor Skills

Adolescents typically have a well developed fine and gross motor skills. The fact that Finn is able to play sports and video games tells us that his fine and gross motor skills are well developed.

Piaget, Erikson, & Kohlberg PIAGET

Finn is in Piaget’s formal operational stage. Adolescents in this stage are able to think about what is possible and think beyond the present (ATI, 2013). With Finn, he often thinks about his future career and college. Those who are in this stage are also highly imaginative, idealistic, and are able to use formal logic to make decisions (ATI, 2013). Finn is highly imaginative and idealistic while also having the ability to critically think and understand how his actions may affect others.

Erikson

Finn is in Erikson’s psychosocial stage of identity vs. role confusion (ATI, 2013). In this stage, adolescents are able to view themselves as unique individuals (ATI, 2013). Also, adolescents feel that they must belong to a group that gives them status in order to establish themselves apart from their parents (ATI, 2013). Finn has a positive self-concept and he knows that he is unique. Still, he wants to fit in with his peers and wants to feel accepted. He has been distancing himself from his parents because he wants to be independent and have his own identity away from his parents.

Kohlberg

Finn is in Kohlberg’s moral development stage- post conventional (ATI, 2013). Adolescents in this stage want to have their own set of values and morals. They are aware that they have obligations and know the concept of justice (ATI, 2013).

Finn understands his boundaries and knows what is right from wrong. He knows what he needs to do to achieve his goals in life but at times he just wants to have fun.

NUTRITION

It is recommended that adolescents reduce saturated fats in their diet and avoid unsaturated fat. Daily intake of fiber should be about 38 grams a day for males. They should also have routine screening for health problems (Perry et. al., 2014). The consumption of added sugars should be reduced and they should exercise regularly (Perry et. al., 2014). Since Finn is moderately active, he does not have a problem having an exercise routine. However, he grew up in a home in where there are no restrictions in diet. Even though he is very thin, he should change his dietary habits to prevent health problems in the future. Finn consumes a lot of food such as : ice cream, chips, hotdog, french fries, and juice. He does not eat fruits or vegetables.

OREM FEELINGS

Finn is confident in his own skin but is also confused about his future. He does not know whether he should study or socialize with others because he wants to fit in. He has a problem turning down his friends and feels that he will miss out if he focuses too much on his studies. However, he wants to be successful in the future and knows that he needs to work hard to get there.

FAMILY & FRIENDS

Finn loves spending time with his three best friends.

They have a lot in common and trust each other. His family is very supportive and nurturing, but Finn has not had the time to spend time with his parents.

SEX & SEXUALITY

He is not currently sexually active because he is only interested in video games and hockey right now.

DRUG OR ALCOHOL USE

Finn is not interested in alcohol or drugs. However, some of his peers have pressured him to drink before.

BODY IMAGE

Finn does compare his body to others but he does not think about it too much. He has a healthy self-esteem.

CONCERNS & INTERVENTIONS: NUTRITION Finn has no restrictions in his diet and does not know what all the junk food he is eating can do to his body. Since his parents work in the coffee shop most of the time, they do not have time to cook healthy food. They eat a lot of processed food and go to fast food restaurants because it is convenient for their lifestyle.

Concern

Interventions

Low levels of activity and overeating unhealthy foods are the cause of obesity. “Childhood obesity is a risk factor for adult noncommunicable diseases (NCDs)” (Rannuci et. al., 2017).

Since Finn is moderately active due to after school activities, a nutritional counseling for the patient and his family is needed. Rannuci et. al., recommends the patient and family to attend a nutritional group session in order to be able to choose and eat healthy foods (2017). They will learn to increase fish, fruits, vegetables, foods rich in fiber and to restrict foods with saturated fats, sugars, and salt (Rannuci et. al., 2017)

Anticipatory guidelines “Caloric intake can be tailored to meet adolescents’ increased growth needs as well as activity level such as involvement in sports” (Perry et. al., 2014).

Adolescents need to have adequate intake of: zinc, calcium, iron in periods of rapid growth (Book 1023).

Recommend the Mertens “to eat 5 to 9 fruits and vegetables per day, with a minimum of 2 servings of fruit and three servings of vegetables” (Ackley & Ladwig, 2014).

Encourage the Mertens to eat together for at least one meal per day to improve the children’s dietary eating habits (Ackley & Ladwig, 2014).

CONCERNS & INTERVENTIONS: PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT Finn has extremely high levels of stress due to school work, his social life, and his plans for the future.

Concern

Interventions

“Adolescents who experience high levels of stress/chronic stress can deteriorate physical health by affecting the immune functions and also these individuals are thereby risk to develop diabetes, obesity, and heart diseases at later stages of life” (Sujithra, 2016).

Advise Finn to reframe his perceptions of some of the stressors in his life to lower his stress levels (Ackley & Ladwig, 2014).

Anticipatory guidelines Encourage Finn’s parents to regularly assess Finn’s stress levels because high stress can be the triggering cause for the use of drug, engagement in sexual behaviors, and suicide (Sujithra, 2016).

Advise the patient to avoid illegal drugs, alcohol, and tobacco (American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry [AACAP], 2013). Finn is at the age where he might get peer pressured into doing alcohol and drugs.

Encourage Finn to learn relaxation exercises such as muscle relaxation techniques and abdominal breathing (AACAP, 2013).

CONCERNS & INTERVENTIONS: DEVELOPMENT/SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT Finn got into an argument with his parents recently because they are not letting him become more independent. They want to spend more time with him, but he just wants to be a kid and have some fun with his friends. He feels that his parents do not understand his needs and wants. His parents want him to do chores, study, spend less time playing video games, and to stop going on his phone during dinner time.

Concern

Interventions

Adolescents go through a lot of social and emotional changes in this point of their lives.

Finn’s parents should be a role model and show Finn how to maintain positive relationships with his friends and family.

Finn will be able to learn how to treat others with respect, have empathy, and learn how to positively resolve a conflict (Healthy Families BC, 2014).

Anticipatory guidelines It is important that Finn’s parents stay connected with him during this stage. They need to be able to know how to support their child’s social and emotional development (Healthy Families BC, 2014).

Advise Finn’s parents to get to know Finn’s friends and make them welcome in their home. In this way, Finn’s parents know what is going on with his social relationships (Healthy Families BC, 2014).

Advise Finn’s parents to listen to Finn’s feelings and to give him full attention (Healthy Families BC, 2014).

CONCERNS & INTERVENTIONS: SAFETY TEACHING Finn is not currently doing drugs or drinking alcohol but it would be beneficial if his parents encouraged him to stay safe and to avoid participating in risky behaviors.

Concern

Interventions

Adolescents’ health are at an increased risk due to risky behaviors that they may participate in.

Inform Finn about the harmful side effects of drugs and its long term adverse consequences (Jiloha, 2017).

Anticipatory guidelines

“Use criminal or other social sanctions to discourage adolescents from using substances” (Jiloha, 2017).

Finn’s parents need to teach him how to make good decisions to keep himself safe and healthy (Ward, 2014).

Topics that need to be discussed include: “Exposures to crowd illness (meningitis), driving, alcohol and drugs, sex, social media, peer pressure, anxiety, depression, firearms, and eating disorders (Ward,2014).

“Limit the availability of substances to make them more difficult to obtain and use” (Jiloha, 2017).

QSEN CORE COMPETENCY “ Minimizes risk of harm to patients and providers through both system effectiveness and individual performance” (QSEN Institute, 2014).

I. Patient Centered Care A.

The nurse must consider the Merten’s preferences and values and implement that in the patient’s plan of care.

II. Teamwork and Collaboration A.

The nurse must identify gaps in communication between the patient, patient’s family, and other health care team members.

III. Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) A.

The nurse must be able to demonstrate clinical expertise and have the basic knowledge to provide the best possible patient care.

IV. Quality Improvement A.

Utilize tools to improve patient care.

V. Safety A.

Educate patient and family on disease/ hazard prevention.

VI. Informatics A.

The nurse must be able to have the essential information and technology skills to support patient care.

References Ackley, B. J., & Ladwig, G.B. (2014). Nursing diagnosis handbook: An evidence-based guide to planning care (10th ed.). Maryland Heights, Missouri: Mosby Elsevier.

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. (2013). AACAP. In Stress Management and Teens. Retrieved June 25, 2017, from http://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/ FFF-Guide/Helping-Teenagers-With-Stress-066.aspx Assessment Technologies Institute. (2013). RN Nursing Care of Children (8th ed., pp. 59-60).

Healthy Families BC. (2014). Social and Emotional Changes in Adolescence . In Healthy Families BC. Retrieved June 23, 2017, from https://www.healthyfamiliesbc.ca/home/articles/social-and-emotional-changes-adolescence-teens Jiloha, R. C. (2017). Prevention, early intervention, and harm reduction of substance use in adolescents. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 59(1), 111–118. http://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5545.204444 Perry, S. E., Hockenberry, M. J., Lowdermilk, D., & Wilson, D. (2014). Maternal Child Nursing Care (5th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby.

QSEN Institute. (2014). QSEN Competencies. In QSEN . Retrieved June 25, 2017, from http://qsen.org/competencies/pre-licensure-ksas/ Ranucci, C., Pippi, R., Buratta, L., Aiello, C., Gianfredi, V., Piana, N., & ... Mazzeschi, C. (2017). Effects of an Intensive Lifestyle Intervention to Treat Overweight/Obese Children and Adolescents. Biomed Research International, 1-11. doi:10.1155/2017/8573725 Sujithra, S. (2016). Impact of Stress for Psychiatric Morbidity among Adolescent: A Review. International Journal Of Nursing Education, 8(3), 6-10. doi:10.5958/0974-9357.2016.00080.5 Ward, S. L. (2014). Pediatric Nursing Care. Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis Company.

References (Pictures) [Untitled image of an Adventure Time poster]. Retrieved on June 25, 2016 from http://i0.wp.com/www.mxblitz.com/wp-content/uploads/ 2016/10/adventure-time-vol-2-9781608863235_hr.jpg?fit=2064%2C3132 [Untitled image of Finn]. Retrieved on June 25, 2016 from https://www.google.com/imgres?imgrefurl=http://pokemon -jewelpet-and-adventure-time.wikia.com /wiki/Finn_the_Human&tbnid=lb_MrBCiVaAdEM:&docid=B8MZgZzzd5D0IM&h=2672&w=1772 [Untitled image of Finn]. Retrieved on June 25, 2016 from http://t07.deviantart.net/P7M13eEWx1gKgG7ZEFkJf2hjKDM= /fit-in/700x350/filters:fixed_height(100,100):origin()/pre01/51eb /th/pre/f/2012/021/3/d/finn_the_human_by_jemet49-d4n6gu0.png [Untitled image of Finn]. Retrieved on June 25, 2016 from https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=0ahUKEwjo5aGqv 9rUAhVBImMKHeWCDU4QjBwIBA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fimages6.fanpop.com %2Fimage%2Fpolls%2F1501000%2F1501722_1439557254331_full.png&psig= AFQjCNGVvLU11gh022Giz9GQ1TcWOdGuPA&ust=1498531587451171 [Untitled image of Finn]. Retrieved on June 25, 2016 from https://imgur.com/vsMi07T [Untitled image of Finn]. Retrieved on June 25, 2016 from https://akimg2.ask.fm/assets2/067/182/811/904/normal/avatar.jpg [Untitled image of Finn]. Retrieved on June 25, 2016 from https://yt3.ggpht.com/-WutvSTCz73o/AAAAAAAAAAI/AAAAAAAAAAA/BdGP0xm0zzc/s900-c-k-no-mo-rj-c0xffffff/photo.jpg [Untitled image of Finn & friends]. Retrieved on June 25, 2016 from https://www.kino.de/wp-content/gallery/adventure-time-with-finn-and-jake/ Adventure-time-abenteuerzeit-mit-finn-jake-staffel-3-rcm0x1920u.jpg [Untitled image of Finn & Jake].. Retrieved on June 25, 2016 from http://s2.dmcdn.net/P_0iN/1280x720-5Xf.jpg