Kelly, an 8-year-old girl, will soon be able to return to school ...

[Diane]

Kelly, an 8-year-old girl, will soon be able to return to school after an injury that resulted in several severe, chronic disabilities. Which is the most appropriate action by the school nurse?
 
  a. Recommend that the child's parents attend school at first to prevent teasing.
  b. Prepare the child's classmates and teachers for changes they can expect.
  c. Refer the child to a school where the children have chronic disabilities similar to hers.
  d. Discuss with the child and her parents the fact that her classmates will not accept her as they did before.

Question 2

The parents of a child born with disabilities ask the nurse for advice about discipline. The nurse's response should be based on knowledge that discipline is:
 
  a. essential for the child.
  b. too difficult to implement with a special-needs child.
  c. not needed unless child becomes problematic.
  d. best achieved with punishment for misbehavior.

[akudia]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Attendance at school is an important part of normalization for Kelly. The school nurse should prepare teachers and classmates about her condition, abilities, and special needs. A visit by the parents can be helpful, but unless the classmates are prepared for the changes, it alone will not prevent teasing. Kelly's school experience should be normalized as much as possible. Children need the opportunity to interact with healthy peers, as well as to engage in activities with groups or clubs composed of similarly affected persons. Children with special needs are encouraged to maintain and reestablish relationships with peers and to participate according to their capabilities.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Discipline is essential for the child. It provides boundaries on which to test out their behavior and teaches them socially acceptable behaviors. The nurse should teach the parents ways to manage the child's behavior before it becomes problematic. Punishment is not effective in managing behavior.

[Diane]

Excellent

[milbourne11]

TYSM