A 7-year-old child is seen in the pediatric clinic 3 times in the ...

[mwit1967]

A 7-year-old child is seen in the pediatric clinic 3 times in the last 2 months for complaints of abdominal pain. On each occasion, the physical examination and all ordered laboratory work have been normal. Which is the priority nursing assessment at this time?
 
  1. The child's normal eating habits
  2. Recent viral illnesses or other infectious symptoms
  3. Review of the child's immunization history
  4. Changes in school or home life

Question 2

A mother of two children, an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old, tells you that her husband has recently been deployed to the Middle East. The mother is concerned about the children's constant interest in watching TV news coverage of activities in the Middle East. Which suggestion by the nurse to the mother is most appropriate?
 
  1. Spend time with your children, and take cues from them about how much they want to discuss.
  2. Allow the children to watch as much television as they want. This is how they are coping with their father's absence.
  3. The less that you discuss this, the quicker the children will adjust to their father's absence. Try to keep them busy and use distractions to keep their mind off of it.
  4. It will just take some time to adjust to their father's absence and then everything will return to normal.

[Shshxj]

Answer to Question 1

4
Explanation:
1. Because of the abdominal complaints, the child's eating habits would have already been discussed.
2. With normal blood work and tests, the chance of any illness over the last few months is unlikely.
3. The immunization history would have been reviewed on the previous visits.
4. With a normal examination and laboratory work, there is a high probability that this child's abdominal pain is stress related, and it is most important to identify the possible stressors in this child's life to aid in diagnosis and treatment. Asking about changes in home or school life is most likely to get to information about recent stresses in the child's life.

Answer to Question 2

1
Explanation:
1. Children need to be able to discuss their feelings and concerns with an adult; otherwise, their emotional distress could increase.
2. Constant viewing of the TV coverage of the war might increase the children's anxiety and fear for their father's safety.
3. Children need to be able to discuss their feelings and concerns with an adult; otherwise, their emotional distress could increase.
4. The mother should be aware that even though the children might appear to have adjusted, there could be delayed reactions or regressions in behavior.