Author Question: The nurse is discussing the care of a child who is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The ... (Read 58 times)

sdfghj · **on:** Jul 22, 2018

The nurse is discussing the care of a child who is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The nurse is explaining to the father that the child's teacher should be made aware of some of the behaviors that the parents have observed.

Which of the following behaviors observed will the nurse instruct the parents to disclose to the teacher? 1. Depression that results from feelings of inadequacy
2. Flexibility and ability to contribute to learning
3. An episode of self-mutilation
4. Tendency to be hypoactive

Question 2

The nurse working in a neonatal ICU is caring for a critically ill client.

The parent calls the nurse and asks if it would be possible to bring the infant's 2-year-old sibling to visit because the sibling is having nightmares about the client's death. Small children are not permitted to visit because of the risk of infection to the infants. The professional nurse would: 1. Tell the parent that visiting is not permitted.
2. Offer to make counseling available to the sibling.
3. Seek permission from the unit manager and physician to allow the sibling to visit.
4. Tell the parent to bring the sibling in to visit.

Zebsrer · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

3. An episode of self-mutilation

Rationale:
Some children with a spectrum disorder have many associated behavioral problems such as hyperactivity, aggressiveness, temper tantrums, and self-injurious behaviors such as head banging. This is important and relevant to discuss with the child's teacher, who is a member of the treatment team. Problems with socialization and communication difficulties are also common, evidenced by deficits in spontaneous, imaginative play. These children typically have a restricted, repetitive repertoire of interests or behaviors and, therefore, will not become depressed due to perceiving themselves as inadequate. These children will have difficulty adapting to change, so they will have great difficulty, if able at all, to be flexible or contribute to their learning. The child's tendency would be toward hyperactivity rather than hypoactivity.

Answer to Question 2

3. Seek permission from the unit manager and physician to allow the sibling to visit.

Rationale:
The nurse realizes that certain rules are in place for the protection of clients. In this case, the family's health is being jeopardized by the sibling. The professional nurse would be compassionate enough to seek permission to allow the sibling to visit and see that the infant is alive and being cared for. Telling the parent what the rules of the unit are will only increase the family's frustration when they are looking to the nurse for assistance. Offering counseling may or may not be an effective means of assisting the family. The sibling needs to be reassured that the infant is alive. The nurse would not make the decision without the permission of the management team.