What is the best nursing response to the mother of a 4-year-old ...

[MirandaLo]

What is the best nursing response to the mother of a 4-year-old child who asks what she can do to help the child cope with a sibling's repeated hospitalizations?
 
  a. Recommend that the child be sent to visit the grandmother until the sibling returns home.
  b. Inform the parent that the child is too young to visit the hospital.
  c. Assume the child understands that the sibling will soon be discharged because the child asks no questions.
  d. Help the mother give the child a simple ex-planation of the treatment and encourage the mother to have the child visit the hospitalized sibling.

Question 2

What is the best action for the nurse to take when a 5-year-old child cries, screams, and resists having his IV restarted because an IV antibiotic is due?
 
  a. Exit the room and leave the child alone until he stops crying.
  b. Tell the child big boys and girls don't cry..
  c. Let the child decide which color arm board to use with his IV.
  d. Proceed quickly with the IV insertion to decrease stress.

[SomethingSomething]

Answer to Question 1

D
Needs of a sibling will be better met with factual information and contact with the ill child. Separation from family and home may intensify fear and anxiety. Parents are experts on their children and need to determine when their child can visit a hospital. Children may have difficulty expressing questions and fears and need the support of parents and other caregivers.

Answer to Question 2

C
Giving the preschooler some choice and control, while maintaining boundaries of treatment, supports the child's coping skills. Leaving the child alone robs the child of support when a coping difficulty exists. Crying is a normal response to stress. The child needs time to adjust and support to cope with unfamiliar and painful procedures during hospitalization.