Ace the Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) Exam 2025 – Leap into Your Nursing Adventure!

The statement regarding girls having low potential for growth after the beginning of menses is correct because the onset of menstruation typically signifies the closing of the epiphyseal growth plates in the long bones. This physiological change greatly limits further height growth. In contrast, males generally experience their growth spurt later and maintain growth potential for a longer period due to later epiphyseal fusion.

During puberty, females generally experience their peak height velocity about 6 to 12 months before they begin menstruating, and once menstruation starts, their growth rate decreases significantly as they approach their adult height. Thus, the statement about girls’ reduced growth potential after menses accurately reflects this biological reality. Understanding this growth pattern is essential for pediatric nursing practice, as it informs expectations for growth and development in different populations of adolescents.