The nurse is caring for a child who is complaining of chronic ...

[rl]

The nurse is caring for a child who is complaining of chronic pain. Which of the following is the priority nursing assessment?
 
  A) How the pain impacts the child's and family's stress level
  B) The pain's history, onset, intensity, duration, and location
  C) The child's and parents' feeling of anxiety and depression
  D) The child's cognitive level and emotional response

Question 2

A terminally ill child is awake at 2 AM and continues to put on the call light. What should the nurse do regarding this child's behavior?
 
  A) Provide with a sleeping aid.
  B) Encourage the child to sleep.
  C) Sit with the child until sleep comes.
  D) Put on the television and dim the lights.

[gstein359]

Answer to Question 1

B
Feedback:
Assessment of the child's pain is key; it is the priority assessment and is the only answer that focuses on the child's physiologic need. Assessment of how the pain impacts the child's and family's stress, feelings of anxiety, hopelessness, and depression, as well as the child's cognitive level and emotional response, are secondary after the pain is explored.

Answer to Question 2

C
Feedback:
Many children assume that they will die at night. A child may talk more freely at night about fears or an unfulfilled life ambition than during the day. Children may also be more frightened at night and enjoy having someone sit beside them until they fall asleep. The nurse should not provide with a sleeping aid. Encouraging the child to sleep will not meet the child's needs at this time. Putting on the television with dim lights in the room will not meet the child's needs at this time.

[rl]

TYSM

[ttt030911]

Great answer, keep it coming