A nurse is planning to speak with a parent support group about ...

[codyclark]

A nurse is planning to speak with a parent support group about childhood autism. What will the nurse include?
 
  a. Significant signs of the disorder manifest by 1 year of age.
  b. The earliest signs of autism are impulsivity and overactivity.
  c. Autism is usually diagnosed when the child goes to elementary school.
  d. Medications can cure childhood autism.

Question 2

What is an appropriate nursing intervention for a hospitalized child who is autistic?
 
  a. Place the child in a location where she can watch all of the activity on the unit.
  b. Use the child's chronological age as a guide for communication.
  c. Keep the child's room free of toys or objects that she might want to take home with her.
  d. Organize care to provide as few disruptions to the routine as possible.

[kjohnson]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Failure to use eye contact and look at others, poor attention span, and poor orienting to one's name are significant signs of dysfunction by 1 year of age.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
During hospitalization, the nurse should provide a highly structured environment with few distractions for a child who is autistic.