During a preadmission visit, a 9-year-old child expresses fear about having a tonsillectomy the following week because it will hurt too much. Which statement would help the child feel more comfortable and less afraid?
A) I'm sure you are worried about the pain, but lots of people have tonsillectomies and they're fine after a few days.
B) There's nothing to worry about. You will forget about the hurt because you can have all the ice cream and pudding you want.
C) It won't hurt too much, so don't feel worried.
D) I understand that you're worried. It will hurt but only for a few days; we'll give you something to help stop the pain when you need it.
Question 2
When a 4-year-old's mother returns to room-in at the
hospital with him after a three-day trip back home, she is anxious and excited to hug the child. When she leans over his bed to pick the child up, he turns his back and scoots away. Which statement would be an explanation for the child's reaction?
A) He is probably just tired from the many tests run while you were away.
B) His distrust is abnormal. It may or may not go away in a day or two; we will just have to wait and see.
C) His distrust is normal and may have lingering effects, but you should touch and soothe him as much as possible.
D) Now that he has seen that you have returned he will feel better, but you should leave the room for a few minutes to help him feel in control.
A 100-Year Flood Map of Montpelier, Vermont
In this cartoon, Boss Tweed welcomes cholera—a skeletal figure of death carrying a handbag from “Asi
Giotto, Madonna and Child Enthroned.
Supervised role-play can help a child feel more at ease during office visits.
Measuring the Head Circumference of an Infant or Small Child