Author Question: Amy, age 6 years, needs to be hospitalized again because of a chronic illness. The clinic nurse ... (Read 124 times)

oliviahorn72 · **on:** Jun 28, 2018

Amy, age 6 years, needs to be hospitalized again because of a chronic illness.

The clinic nurse overhears her school-age siblings tell her, We are sick of Mom always sitting with you in the hospital and playing with you. It isn't fair that you get everything and we have to stay with the neighbors. The nurse's best assessment of this situation is that:
a. The siblings are immature and probably spoiled.
b. Jealousy and resentment are common reactions to the illness or hospitalization of a sibling.
c. The family has ineffective coping mechanisms to deal with chronic illness.
d. The siblings need to better understand their sister's illness and needs.

Question 2

A 10-year-old girl needs to have another intravenous (IV) line started. She keeps telling the nurse, Wait a minute, and, I'm not ready. The nurse should recognize that:

a. This is normal behavior for a school-age child.
b. This behavior is usually not seen past the preschool years.
c. The child thinks the nurse is punishing her.
d. The child has successfully manipulated the nurse in the past.

amandalm · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 28, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Siblings experience loneliness, fear, worry, anger, resentment, jealousy, and guilt. The siblings experience stress equal to that of the hospitalized child. These are not uncommon responses by normal siblings. There is no evidence that the family has maladaptive coping or that the siblings lack understanding.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
This school-age child is attempting to maintain control. The nurse should provide the girl with structured choices about when the IV will be inserted. This can be characteristic behavior when an individual needs to maintain some control over a situation. The child is trying to have some control in the hospital experience.