American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Practice Exam 2025 – Comprehensive All-in-One Guide for Exam Success!

In a 15-year-old female who has not yet reached menarche, the normal developmental finding is that the breasts may be enlarged and the areola is forming a mound. This developmental stage indicates that the individual is undergoing puberty and is in the process of developing secondary sexual characteristics, which includes breast development. The Tanner stages of sexual maturation describe this as a natural and expected part of the growth process during adolescence.

Breast development at this age may vary greatly as some girls may have completed breast development and others may still be in the earlier stages. It's important to note that while some girls may experience menarche sooner, others may take longer but still demonstrate normal physical changes such as breast growth.

In contrast, symptoms associated with conditions like hypothyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome, or Turner syndrome, would typically indicate underlying health issues rather than typical developmental variations. These conditions could present with different physical and hormonal signs that would be outside the expected development pattern for a 15-year-old female. Thus, the option highlighting breast development with areola changes accurately reflects a common and normal physiological finding at this age in the absence of menarche.