A few days after discharge, the parent of an 8 year old calls the pediatric clinic concerned about the child's behavior now that she is home.
The parent expresses that the child is treating her siblings badly and using language she knows she is not allowed to use. The parent asks the nurse for suggestions regarding how to handle this behavior. Which of the following statements would be most appropriate for the nurse to make to this parent?
A) Coming home is a difficult adjustment. Warn your daughter that you expect her to begin to behave better over the next few weeks.
B) Respond to her behavior in a firm, loving, consistent way.
C) Children often feel guilty for the attention they've taken away from their siblings and act out as a way of earning the attention.
D) Tell her you don't like her behavior and have her to stay in her room until she can be nicer to her siblings.
Question 2
A 5-year-old boy is brought to the emergency room with a possible broken arm. His 18-year-old sister, who is also his primary caregiver, has come with him. The boy is relatively calm but his sister is so upset that she is nearly hysterical.
The nurse notes that as her behaviors show more anxiety, the boy is getting more upset and his anxiety is also increasing. Which of the following would be best for the nurse to do in this situation?
A) Reassure the child. Tell him you need to ask his sister some questions, then gently remove his sister from the room.
B) Ask his sister to calm down so that she can hold her brother's other hand while his cast is put on.
C) Ignore the caregiver's behavior. Tell the child that he is going to be fine and that his sister is just nervous.
D) Tell the caregiver she will have to leave the room if she doesn't calm down.