A nurse is working with a school-age child who is dying. The ...

[Diane]

A nurse is working with a school-age child who is dying. The child is hostile and uncooperative. Which action by the nurse is the most appropriate?
 
  A.
  Ask the child what she knows about what is wrong with her.
  B.
  Give the child time to herself and then return to complete tasks.
  C.
  Offer the child a reward for cooperative or pleasant behavior.
  D.
  Tell the child to cooperate with treatments in order to get better.

Question 2

A nurse is caring for a dying child. What intervention by the nurse would be best to promote hope and peace in the family?
 
  A.
  Ask the family to participate in providing physical care.
  B.
  Ensure the family members eat so they maintain their strength.
  C.
  Help the family members arrange child care for their other children.
  D.
  Tell the family members what is possible for them to do as the child dies.

[Loise Hard]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
School-age children often know and understand more than parents want to believe. Attempting to shield the child in this age group from the realities of his or her condition can create an atmosphere of distrust. An angry and uncooperative child often is displaying that distrust. The nurse should open up a conversation with the child and find out what she already knows (or thinks she knows) about her condition. This can help create trust. The child may need some time alone, but this by itself will not improve the situation. Rewards for good behavior may be helpful, especially if the parents use this technique at home, but, again, this is not the best answer. Simply telling the child to behave is not likely to be helpful.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
Everyone needs something to hope for, even if that hope is for a good death. Giving the family options based on what is actually possible helps them maintain some sense of control and allows them to provide caring measures they feel are important. They may or may not want to participate in providing physical care. They may or may not want other siblings present as the child dies. They may or may not want to eat at particular times.

[Diane]

TYSM

[bulacsom]

Excellent