During a well-child visit, which communication should a nurse report regarding an 18-month-old toddler?

In the context of typical developmental milestones for an 18-month-old toddler, the ability to say four words is noteworthy and can indicate a potential area of concern regarding language development. At 18 months, children are generally expected to have a vocabulary of around 10 to 25 words, which reflects their growing verbal skills. If a toddler is only able to say four words, this may suggest a delay in language development, warranting further assessment or intervention.

In contrast, the other skills mentioned—identifying common objects, following simple commands, and walking unassisted—align with developmental expectations for an 18-month-old. Recognizing objects is a part of cognitive development; following simple commands shows comprehension skills, and walking unassisted is a milestone reflecting gross motor development. These skills are typically achieved around this age and do not raise the same level of concern as limited speech ability might. Thus, the focus on the toddler's limited language skills makes this the aspect to report during the visit.