Peds Exam 2: Chronic Illness

When considering palliative care for a young child with a life-threatening illness, which is an important consideration? a. The family is included in the decision to shift the goals of treatment. b. The decision must be made by the health professionals involved in the child's care. c. The family needs to understand that palliative care takes place in the home. d. The decision should not be communicated to the family because it will encourage asense of hopelessness.

ANS: A When the child reaches the terminal stage, the nurse and physician should explore the family's wishes. The family should help decide what interventions will occur as they plan for their child's death.

An appropriate nursing intervention to minimize separation anxiety in a hospitalized toddler is to: a. Provide for privacy. b. Encourage parents to room in. c. Explain procedures and routines. d. Encourage contact with children the same age.

ANS: B A toddler experiences separation anxiety secondary to being separated from the parents. To avoid this, the parents should be encouraged to room in as much as possible. Maintaining routines and ensuring privacy are helpful interventions, but they would not substitute for the parents. Contact with same-aged children would not substitute for having the parents present.

The parents of a special health needs child is displaying an approach behavior when doing which of the following? a. Is unable to adjust to a progression of the disease or condition b. Anticipates future problems and seeks guidance and answers c. Looks for new cures without a perspective toward possible benefit d. Fails to recognize the seriousness of the child's condition despite physical evidence

ANS: B The parents who anticipate future problems and seek guidance and answers are demonstrating approach behaviors. They are demonstrating positive actions in caring for their child. Being unable to adjust to a progression of the disease or condition, looking for new cures without a perspective toward possible benefit, and failing to recognize the seriousness of a child's condition despite physical evidence are avoidance behaviors. The parents are moving away from adjustment (and toward maladaptation) in the crisis of a child with chronic illness or disability.

The nurse observes that a seriously ill child passively accepts all painful procedures. Which would the nurse recognize this child is most likely experiencing? a. A sense of hopefulness b. A sense of chronic sorrow c. A belief that procedures are a deserved punishment d. A belief that procedures are an important part of care

ANS: C The nurse should be particularly alert to the child who passively accepts all painful procedures.This child may believe that such acts are inflicted as deserved punishment. The child who is hopeful is mobilized into goal-directed actions. This child would actively participate in care. Chronic sorrow is the feeling of sorrow and loss that recurs in waves over time. It is usually evident in the parents, not in the child. A child who believes that procedures are an important part of care would actively participate in care. Nursing interventions should be used to minimize the pain.

Which is the most appropriate response to a school-age child who asks if she can talk to her dying sister? a. "You need to speak loudly so she can hear you." b. "Holding her hand would be better because at this point she can't hear you." c. "Although she can't hear you, she can feel your presence so sit close to her." d. "Even though she will probably not answer you, she can still hear what you say to her."

ANS: D Hearing is the last sense to cease before death. Talking to the dying child is important both for the child and for the family. There is no evidence that the dying process decreases hearing acuity; therefore, the sister should speak at a normal volume. The sibling should be encouraged to speak to the child, as well as sit close to the bed and hold the child's hand.

What is a common initial reaction of parents to illness or injury and hospitalization in their child? a. Anger b. Fear c. Depression d. Helplessness

ANS: D Recent research has identified common themes among parents whose children were hospitalized, including feeling an overall sense of helplessness, questioning the skills of staff, accepting the reality of hospitalization, needing to have information explained in simple language, dealing with fear, coping with uncertainty, and seeking reassurance from caregivers.Anger or guilt is usually the second reaction stage. Fear, anxiety, and frustrations also are common feelings. Parents may finally react with some form of depression related to the physical and emotional exhaustion associated with a hospitalized child.

Which nursing intervention would the nurse include to help the siblings of a child with special needs cope? a. Explain to the siblings that embarrassment is unhealthy b. Encourage the parents not to expect siblings to help them care for the child with special needs c. Provide information to the siblings about the child's condition only as they request it d. Suggest to the parents ways of showing gratitude to the siblings who help care forthe child with special needs

ANS: D The presence of a child with special needs in a family will change the family dynamic. Siblings may be asked to take on additional responsibilities to help the parents to care for the child. The parents should show gratitude, such as an increase in allowance, special privileges, and verbal praise. Embarrassment may be associated with having a sibling with a chronic illness or disability. Parents must be able to respond in an appropriate manner without punishing the sibling. The parents may need assistance with the care of the child. Most siblings are positive about the extra responsibilities. The siblings need to be informed about the child's condition before a nonfamily member does so. The parents do not want the siblings to fantasize about what is wrong with the child.

At what developmental period do children have the most difficulty coping with death, particularly if it is their own? a. Toddlerhood b. Preschool c. School-age d. Adolescence

D. Because of their mature understanding of death, remnants of guilt and shame, and issues with deviations from normal, adolescents have the most difficulty coping with death. Toddlers and preschoolers are too young to have difficulty coping with their own death. They will fear separation from parents. School-age children will fear the unknown, such as the consequences of the illness and the threat to their sense of security.

When the parent of a child who is dying tells the nurse the child is in pain even when the child appears comfortable, the nurse should be sure that: a. as needed (prn) pain control measures are instituted. b. pain control is administered on a preventative schedule. c. parents understand that pain is a physical process. d. parents understand that the child is probably in less pain than he or she appears to be.

b. pain control is administered on a preventative schedule.

A goal that is considered appropriate for family-centered care is for the nurse to: a. Maintain the integrity of the family. b. Empower the family members. c. Support the family during stressful times. d. Respect the family as the constant in the child's life. e. Perform all of the above.

d. Respect the family as the constant in the child's life.

When the parents of a child with special needs experience chronic sorrow, the process: a. of grief is pronounced and self-limiting. b. involves social reintegration after grieving. c. is characterized by realistic expectations. d. is interspersed with periods of intensified grief.

d. is interspersed with periods of intensified grief.

What is the minimum support and guidance recommended for family members to assist with the resolution of their loss? a. A written questionnaire b. An online survey c. Meeting with the family at the time of death d. A follow-up telephone call or meeting

D. A follow-up telephone call or meeting

A family's reaction during the terminal stage of illness involves a period of intense anticipatory grieving characterized by: a. depression. b. denial c. psychologic or physical symptoms d. all of the above.

D. All of the above

The sibling of a child with a chronic disabling condition may feel: a. responsibility for caregiving. b. differential treatment by parents. c. limitations in family resources. d. all of the above.

D. All of the above

Which situation poses the greatest challenge to the nurse working with a child and family? a. Twenty-four-hour observation b. Emergency hospitalization c. Outpatient admission d. Rehabilitation admission

b. Emergency hospitalization

Pain control is often a concern of dying children and their parents. Which of the following strategies should the nurse use to help them deal with this fear? a. Assure the parents that the pain will be relieved. b. Use heavy sedation to help the child cope with this phase. c. Adopt a medication schedule that will prevent the pain from escalating. d. Give pain medications intravenously only when the child is near death.

c. Adopt a medication schedule that will prevent the pain from escalating.

Which of the following can be used to assist families in coping with stress they may be experiencing due to their child's chronic illness, disability, or end-of-life care decisions? a. Providing anticipatory guidance b. Working collaboratively with families in developing problem-solving strategies c. Providing emotional support d. All of the above

D. All of the above

Nurses counseling parents regarding the home care of the child with a cardiac defect before corrective surgery should stress the: a. importance of reducing caloric intake to decrease cardiac demands. b. importance of relaxing discipline and limit-setting to prevent crying. c.need to be extremely concerned about cyanotic spells. d. desirability of promoting normalcy within the limits of the child's condition.

D. desirability of promoting normalcy within the limits of the child's condition. The child needs to have social interactions, discipline, and appropriate limit setting. Parents need to be encouraged to promote as normal a life as possible for their child. The child needs increased caloric intake after cardiac surgery. The child needs discipline and appropriate limit setting, as would be done with any other child his or her age. Because cyanotic spells will occur in children with some defects, the parents need to be taught how to assess for and manage them appropriately, thereby decreasing their anxiety and concern.

Which of the following factors is more characteristic of a father's pattern than a mother's pattern of adjusting to a chronically ill child? The father is more likely to: a. feel a threat to his self-esteem. b. report a periodic crisis pattern. c. forfeit personal goals. d. seek immediate professional counseling

A. Feel a threat to his self-esteem

Which of the following techniques is considered an example of the most therapeutic communication to use with the bereaved family? a. Cheerfulness b. Interpretation c. Listening d. Reassurance

C. Listening

What is an age-appropriate nursing intervention to facilitate psychologic adjustment for an adolescent expected to have a prolonged hospitalization (select all that apply)? a. Encourage parents to bring in homework and schedule study times. b. Allow the adolescent to wear street clothes. c. Involve the parents in care. d. Follow home routines. e. Encourage parents to bring in favorite foods.

A, B, E

Ryan has just been unexpectedly admitted to the intensive care unit after abdominal surgery. The nursing staff has completed the admission process, and Ryan's condition is beginning to stabilize. When speaking with the parents, the nurses should expect which stressors to be evident (select all that apply)? a. Unfamiliar environment b. Usual day-night routine c. Strange smells d. Provision of privacy e. Inadequate knowledge of condition and routine

A, C, E

Which are appropriate statements the nurse should make to parents after the death of their child? (Select all that apply.) a. "We feel so sorry that we couldn't save your child." b. "Your child isn't suffering anymore." c. "I know how you feel." d. "You're feeling all the pain of losing a child." e. "You are still young enough to have another baby."

A,D By saying, "We feel so sorry that we couldn't save your child," the nurse is expressing personal feeling of loss or frustration, which is therapeutic. Stating, "You're feeling all the pain of losing a child," focuses on a feeling, which is therapeutic. The statement, "Your child isn't suffering anymore," is a judgmental statement, which is nontherapeutic. "I know how you feel" and "You're still young enough to have another baby" are statements that give artificial consolation and are nontherapeutic.

Which describe avoidance behaviors a parent may exhibit when learning that his or her child has a chronic condition? (Select all that apply.) a. Refuses to agree to treatment b. Shares burden of disorder with others c. Verbalizes possible loss of child d. Withdraws from outside world e. Punishes self because of guilt and shame

A,D,E A parent who refuses to agree to treatment, withdraws from the outside world, and punishes self because of guilt and shame is exhibiting avoidance coping behaviors. A parent who shares the burden of disorder with others and verbalizes possible loss of child is exhibiting approach coping behaviors.

The parents of a child who has just died ask to be left alone so that they can rock their child one more time. In response to their request, what intervention should the nurse implement? a. Grant their request. b. Assess why they feel that this is necessary. c. Discourage this because it will only prolong their grief. d. Kindly explain that they need to say good-bye to their child now and leave.

A. The parents should be allowed to remain with their child after the death. The nurse can remove all of the tubes and equipment and offer the parents the option of preparing the body. This is an important part of the grieving process and should be allowed if the parents desire it. It is important for the nurse to ascertain if the family has any special needs. None of the other options adequately meet the parent's need to grieve.

Which is the most descriptive of a school-age child's reaction to death? a. Is very interested in funerals and burials b. Has little understanding of words such as forever c. Imagines the deceased person to be still alive d. Has an idealistic view of the world and criticizes funerals as barbaric

A. The school-age child is very interested in post-death services and may be inquisitive about what happens to the body. School-age children have an established concept of forever and have a deeper understanding of death in a concrete manner. Toddler may imagine the deceased person to be still alive. Adolescents may respond to death with an idealistic view of the world and criticize funerals as barbaric

Which is the most appropriate nursing intervention to promote normalization in a school-age child with a chronic illness? a. Give child as much control as possible. b. Ask child's peer to make child feel normal. c. Convince child that nothing is wrong with him or her. d. Explain to parents that family rules for the child do not need to be the same as for healthy siblings.

A. The school-age child who is ill may be forced into a period of dependency. To foster normalcy, the child should be given as much control as possible. It is unrealistic to expect one individual to make the child feel normal. The child has a chronic illness. It would be unacceptable to convince the child that nothing is wrong. The family rules should be similar for each of the children in a family. Resentment and hostility can arise if different standards are applied to each child.

A cure is no longer possible for a young child with cancer. The nursing staff recognizes that the goal of treatment must shift from cure to palliation. Which is an important consideration at this time? a. The family is included in the decision to shift the goals of treatment. b. The decision must be made by the health professionals involved in the child's care. c. The family needs to understand that palliative care takes place in the home. d. The decision should not be communicated to the family because it will encourage a sense of hopelessness.

A. When the child reaches the terminal stage, the nurse and physician should explore the family's wishes. The family should help decide what interventions will occur as they plan for their child's death. None of the other options address the parent's need to be involved effectively in their child's care.

The nurse, providing support to parents of a child newly diagnosed with a chronic disability, notices that they keep asking the same questions. How should the nurse respond to best meet their needs? a. Patiently continue to answer questions. b. Kindly refer them to someone else to answer their questions. c. Recognize that some parents cannot understand explanations. d. Suggest that they ask their questions when they are not upset.

A. Diagnosis is one of the anticipated stress points for parents. The parents may not hear or remember all that is said to them. The nurse should continue to provide the kind of information that they desire. This is a particularly stressful time for the parents; the nurse can play a key role in providing necessary information. Parents should be provided with oral and written information. The nurse needs to work with the family to ensure understanding of the information. The parents require information at the time of diagnosis. Other questions will arise as they adjust to the information.

A common parental reaction to a child with special needs is parental over-protection. Parental behavior suggestive of this includes which behavior? A. Attempting to avoid frustrating situations B. Providing consistent, strict discipline C. Forcing child to help self, even when not capable D. Encouraging social and educational activities not appropriate for the child's level of capability

A. Parental overprotection is manifested by the parents' fear of letting the child achieve any new skill, avoiding all discipline, and catering to the child's every desire to prevent frustration. The overprotective parents usually do not set limits and or institute discipline, and they usually prefer to remain in the role of total caregiver. They do not allow the child to perform self-care or encourage the child to try new activities.

A mother tells the nurse that she will visit her 2-year-old son tomorrow about noon. During the child's bath, he asks for Mommy. What is the nurse's best reply? a. "Mommy will be here after lunch." b. "Mommy always comes back to see you." c. "Your Mommy told me yesterday that she would be here today about noon." d. "Mommy had to go home for a while, but she will be here today."

A. "Mommy will be here after lunch." Because toddlers have a limited concept of time, the nurse should translate the mother's statement about being back around noon to a familiar activity that takes place at that time. Telling the child that his mother always comes back to see him does not give the child any meaningful information about when his mother will visit. Twelve noon is a meaningless concept for a toddler. Stating that his mother had to go home but will be back today does not provide the child with any meaningful information related to when she will actually visit.

A ventilator-dependent child is being discharged home from the hospital. Prior to discharge, the home health care nurse discusses the development of an emergency plan with the family. The most essential component of the plan is: a. acquisition of a backup generator. b. designation of an emergency shelter. c. notifying the power company that the child is on life support. d. provision for alternate heating and cooling source if power is lost. e. notifying emergency medical services that child is on life support.

A. acquisition of a backup generator. It is essential that the family have a backup generator in place prior to discharge so that the child's life support is not interrupted should power be lost. Designation of an emergency shelter, notifying the power company that the child is on life support, provision for alternate hearing and cooling source if power is lost and notifying the emergency medical services that the child is on life support are important concerns but are not considered to be the most essential component of the discharge plan.

The parents of a child born with disabilities ask the nurse for advice about discipline. Which information about discipline would the nurse's response include? a. It is essential for normal development. b. It is too difficult to implement with a special-needs child. c. It is not needed unless the child becomes problematic. d. It is best achieved with punishment for misbehavior.

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.

A home health nurse is assigned to an adolescent with recently acquired tetraplegia. The adolescent's mother tells the nurse, "I'm sick of providing all the care while my husband does whatever he wants and whenever he wants." Based on the nurse's knowledge of family-centered care, the most appropriate nursing intervention is to a. listen and reflect the mother's feelings. b. refer the mother for psychological counseling. c. suggest ways the mother can get the husband to help with care. d. meet with the adolescent's father in private and ask why he does not help.

A. listen and reflect the mother's feelings. It is appropriate for the nurse to reflect with the mother about her feelings and explore avenues for additional home health assistance and provide respite care for the mother. A support group for caregivers is more appropriate at this time, not counseling. It is inappropriate for the nurse to agree with the mother that the husband is not helping enough. The nurse is making a judgment that is beyond the role of the nurse in addition to undermining the family relationship. It is inappropriate to meet with the father privately because the meeting is based on the mother's assumption of the father's minimal involvement with the adolescent's care. The father may be working two jobs to support the family's additional expenses.

Prior to accepting an assignment as a home health nurse, the nurse must realize that: a. the family is in charge. b. all decisions are made by the health care provider. c. the family will adapt their lifestyle to the needs of the nurse. d. independent decisions regarding emergency care of the child are made by the nurse.

A. the family is in charge. The nurse must realize that the family is in charge. The family is in charge and the health care providers must realize this matter. The nurse must be flexible and adaptable to the family's lifestyle. Informed consent must be provided by the family for emergency care-any care.

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

ANS: A Discipline is essential for the children with disabilities. It provides boundaries within which to test their behavior and teaches them socially acceptable behaviors. It is not too difficult to implement discipline with a special-needs child. The nurse should teach the parents ways to manage the child's behavior before it becomes problematic. Punishment is not effective in managing behavior.

Matthew, age 18 months, has just been admitted with croup. His parent is tearful and tells the nurse, "This is all my fault. I should have taken him to the doctor sooner so he wouldn't have to be here." Which is appropriate in the care plan for this parent who is experiencing guilt? a. Clarify misconception about the illness. b. Explain to the parent that the illness is not serious. c. Encourage the parent to maintain a sense of control. d. Assess further why the parent has excessive guilt feelings.

ANS: A Guilt is a common response of parents when a child is hospitalized. They may blame themselves for the child's illness or for not recognizing it soon enough. The nurse should clarify the nature of the problem and reassure parents that the child is being cared for. Croup is a potentially serious illness. The nurse should not minimize the parent's feelings. It would be difficult for the parent to maintain a sense of control while the child is seriously ill. No further assessment is indicated at this time; guilt is a common response for parents.

When a preschool child is hospitalized without adequate preparation, the nurse should recognize that the child may likely see hospitalization as: A. Punishment. B. An opportunity for regression. C. Threat to child's self-image. D. Loss of companionship with friends.

ANS: A If a toddler is not prepared for hospitalization, a typical preschooler fantasy is to attribute the hospitalization to punishment for real or imagined misdeeds. Threat to child's self-image and loss of companionship with friends are reactions typical of school-age children. Regression is a response characteristic of toddlers when threatened with loss of control.

A previously "potty-trained" 30-month-old child has reverted to wearing diapers while hospitalized. The nurse should reassure the parents that this is normal because of which reason? a. Regression is seen during hospitalization. b. Developmental delays occur because of the hospitalization. c. The child is experiencing urinary urgency because of hospitalization. d. The child was too young to be "potty-trained."

ANS: A Regression is expected and normal for all age groups when hospitalized. Nurses should assure the parents this is temporary and the child will return to the previously mastered developmental milestone when back home. This does not indicate a developmental delay. The child should not be experiencing urinary urgency because of hospitalization and this would not be normal. Successful "potty-training" can be started at 2 years of age if the child is ready.

Latasha, age 8 years, is being admitted to the hospital from the emergency department with an injury from falling off her bicycle. What will help her most in her adjustment to the hospital? a. Explain hospital schedules such as mealtimes. b. Use terms such as "honey" and "dear" to show a caring attitude. c. Explain when parents can visit and why siblings cannot come to see her. d. Orient her parents, because she is young, to her room and hospital facility.

ANS: A School-age children need to have control of their environment. The nurse should offer explanations or prepare the child for experiences that are unavoidable. The nurse should refer to the child by the preferred name. Telling the child about all of the limitations of visiting does not help her adjust to the hospital. At the age of 8 years, the child and parents should be oriented to the environment.

What represents the major stressor of hospitalization for children from middle infancy throughout the preschool years? a. Separation anxiety b. Loss of control c. Fear of bodily injury d. Fear of pain

ANS: A The major stress for children from infancy through the preschool years is separation anxiety, also called anaclitic depression. This is a major stressor of hospitalization. Loss of control, fear of bodily injury, and fear of pain are all stressors associated with hospitalization. However, separation from family is a primary stressor in this age-group.

A nurse is caring for four patients; three are toddlers and one is a preschooler. Which represents the major stressor of hospitalization for these four patients? a. Separation anxiety b. Loss of control c. Fear of bodily injury d. Fear of pain

ANS: A The major stressor for children from infancy through the preschool years is separation anxiety, also called anaclitic depression. This is a major stressor of hospitalization. Loss of control, fear of bodily injury, and fear of pain are all stressors associated with hospitalization. However, separation from family is a primary stressor in this age group

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.

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.

The nurse is talking with the parents of a child who died 6 months ago. They sometimes still "hear" the child's voice and have trouble sleeping. They describe feeling "empty" and depressed. The nurse should recognize that: a. these are normal grief responses. b. the pain of the loss is usually less by this time. c. these grief responses are more typical of the early stages of grief. d. this grieving is essential until the pain is gone and the child is gradually forgotten.

ANS: A These are normal grief responses. The process of grief work is lengthy and resolution of grief may take years, with intensification during the early years. The child will never be forgotten by the parents.

Which are adaptive coping patterns used by children with special needs? (Select all that apply.) a. Develops optimism b. Feels different and withdraws c. Accepts physical limitations d. Is irritable and moody e. Finds achievement in compensatory intellectual pursuits

ANS: A, C, E Adaptive coping patterns used by children with special needs include seeking support anddeveloping optimism. Maladaptive behaviors are seeing themselves as different and withdrawingand becoming irritable, moody, and beginning to act out.

A child is being admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and the parents are with the child.Which creates stressors for children and parents in ICUs? (Select all that apply.) a. Equipment noise b. Privacy c. Caring behavior by the nurse d. Unfamiliar smells e. Sleep deprivation

ANS: A, D, E The ICU can create physical and environmental stressors for children and their families. Equipment noise (monitors, suction equipment, telephones, computers), unfamiliar smells(alcohol, adhesive remover, body odors), and sleep deprivation all are stressors found in the ICU. Privacy as opposed to no privacy and a caring nurse as opposed to unkind or thoughtless comments from staff help reduce the stressors of the ICU.

The initial response from a parent when learning of a chronic or complex health condition is shock, which is followed by which response? a. Denial b. Guilt and self-accusation c. Social reintegration d. Acceptance of the child's limitations

ANS: B For most families, the adjustment phase is accompanied by several responses. Guilt, self-accusation, bitterness, and anger are common reactions. The initial diagnosis of a chronic illness or disability often is met with intense emotion, characterized by shock and denial. Social reintegration and acceptance of the child's limitations are the culmination of the adjustment process.

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.

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.

Which represents a common best practice in the provision of services to children with chronic or complex conditions? a. Care is focused on the child's chronologic age. b. Children with complex conditions are integrated into regular classrooms. c. Disabled children are less likely to be cared for by their families. d. Children with complex conditions are placed in residential treatment facilities.

ANS: B Normalization refers to behaviors and interventions for people with disabilities to integrate into society by living life as people without a disability would. For children, normalization includes attending school and being integrated into regular classrooms. This affords the child the advantages of learning with a wide group of peers. Care is necessarily focused on the child's developmental age. Home care by the family is considered best practice. The nurse can assist families by assessing social support systems, coping strategies, family cohesiveness, and family and community resources.

The feeling of guilt that the child "caused" the disability or illness is especially critical in which child? A. Toddler B. Preschooler C. School-age child D. Adolescent

B. Preschoolers are most likely to be affected by feelings of guilt that they caused the illness/disability or are being punished for wrongdoings. Toddlers are focused on establishing their autonomy. The illness will foster dependency. The school-age child will have limited opportunities for achievement and may not be able to understand limitations. Adolescents are faced with the task of incorporating their disabilities into their changing self-concept.

The nurse is caring for an adolescent who had an external fixator placed after suffering a fracture of the wrist during a bicycle accident. Which statement by the adolescent would be expected about separation anxiety? a. "I wish my parents could spend the night with me while I am in the hospital." b. "I think I would like for my siblings to visit me but not my friends." c. "I hope my friends don't forget about visiting me." d. "I will be embarrassed if my friends come to the hospital to visit."

ANS: C Loss of peer-group contact may pose a severe emotional threat to an adolescent because of loss of group status; friends visiting is an important aspect of hospitalization for an adolescent and would be very reassuring. Adolescents may welcome the opportunity to be away from their parents. The separation from siblings may produce reactions from difficulty coping to a welcome relief.

Emma, age 3 years, is being admitted for about 1 week of hospitalization. Her parents tell the nurse that they are going to buy her "a lot of new toys because she will be in the hospital." The nurse's reply should be based on an understanding that: a. New toys make hospitalization easier. b. New toys are usually better than older ones for children of this age. c. At this age children often need the comfort and reassurance of familiar toys from home. d. Buying new toys for a hospitalized child is a maladaptive way to cope with parental guilt.

ANS: C Parents should bring favorite items from home to be with the child. Young children associate inanimate objects with significant people; they gain comfort and reassurance from these items. New toys will not serve the purpose of familiar toys and objects from home. The parents may experience some guilt as a response to the hospitalization, but there is no evidence that it is maladaptive.

Which is a characteristic of chronic sorrow often experience by parents who have a chronically ill child? a. Lack of acceptance of the child's limitation b. Lack of available support to prevent sorrow c. Periods of intensified sorrow when experiencing anger and guilt d. Periods of intensified sorrow and loss that occur in waves over time

ANS: D Chronic sorrow is manifested by feelings of sorrow and loss that recur in waves over time. The sorrow is in response to the recognition of the child's limitations. The family should be assessed in an ongoing manner to provide appropriate support as the needs of the family change. The sorrow is not preventable. The chronic sorrow occurs during the reintegration and acknowledgment stage.

Because of their striving for independence and productivity, which age-group of children is particularly vulnerable to events that may lessen their feeling of control and power? a. Infants b. Preschoolers c. Toddlers d. School-age children

ANS: D When a child is hospitalized, the altered family role, physical disability, loss of peer acceptance, lack of productivity, and inability to cope with stress usurp individual power and identity. This is especially detrimental to school-age children, who are striving for independence and productivity and are now experiencing events that lessen their control and power. Infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, although affected by loss of power, are not as significantly affected as are school-age children.

A nurse in the emergency department is assessing a 5-year-old child with symptoms of pneumonia and a fever of 102° F. Which intervention can the nurse implement to promote a sense of control for the child? a. None, this is an emergency and the child should not participate in care. b. Allow the child to hold the digital thermometer while taking the child's blood pressure. c. Ask the child if it is OK to take a temperature in the ear. d. Have parents wait in the waiting room.

B

A nurse plans therapeutic play time for a hospitalized child. Which are the benefits of therapeutic play (select all that apply)? a. Serves as method to assist disturbed children b. Allows the child to express feelings c. The nurse can gain insight into the child's feelings d. The child can deal with concerns and feelings e. Gives the child a structured play environment

B, C, D Play is an effective, nondirective modality for helping children deal with their concerns and fears, and at the same time, it often helps the nurse gain insights into children's needs and feelings. Play and other expressive activities provide one of the best opportunities for encouraging emotional expression, including the safe release of anger and hostility. Nondirective play that allows children freedom for expression can be tremendously therapeutic. Play therapy is a structured therapy that helps disturbed children. It should not be confused with therapeutic play.

A nurse is caring for a child who is near death. Which physical signs indicate the child is approaching death? (Select all that apply.) a. Body feels warm b. Tactile sensation decreasing c. Speech becomes rapid d. Change in respiratory pattern e. Difficulty swallowing

B,D,E Physical signs of approaching death include tactile sensation beginning to decrease, a change in respiratory pattern, and difficulty swallowing. Even though there is a sensation of heat, the body feels cool, not warm, and speech becomes slurred, not rapid.

An 8 year old will soon be able to return to school after an injury that resulted in several severe, chronic disabilities. What is the most appropriate action by the school nurse to help assure a smooth transition back to school? a. Recommending that the child's parents attend school at first to prevent teasing b. Preparing the child's classmates and teachers for changes they can expect c. Referring the child to a school where the children have chronic disabilities similar to hers d. Discussing with both the child and the parents the fact that classmates will not likely be as accepting as before

B. Attendance at school is an important part of normalization for the child. 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. The child's school experience should be normalized as much as possible. Children need the opportunity to interact with healthy peers and 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 participate according to their capabilities.

Which best describes how preschoolers react to the death of a loved one? a. The preschooler is too young to have a concept of death. b. A preschooler is likely to feel guilty and responsible for the death. c. Grief is acute but does not last long at this age. d. Grief is usually expressed in the same way in which the adults in the preschooler's life are expressing grief.

B. Because of egocentricity, the preschooler may feel guilty and responsible for the death. Preschoolers usually have some understanding of the meaning of death. Death is seen as a departure or some kind of sleep and they have no understanding of the permanence of death. None of the other statements accurately describe the usually preschoolers reaction to death.

The nurse comes into the room of a child who was just diagnosed with a chronic disability. The child's parents begin to yell at the nurse about a variety of concerns. What is the nurse's best response? a. "What is really wrong?" b. "Being angry is only natural." c. "Yelling at me will not change things." d. "I will come back when you settle down."

B. Parental anger after the diagnosis of a child with a chronic disability is a common response. One of the most common targets for parental anger is members of the staff. The nurse should recognize the common response of anger to the diagnosis and allow the family to express their feelings and emotions. "What is really wrong?" "Yelling at me will not change things," and "I will come back when you settle down" are all possible responses, but they are not addressing the parent's need to express their anger effectively.

Which statement made by the nurse would indicate a correct understanding of palliative care? a. "Palliative care serves to hasten death and make the process easier for the family." b. "Palliative care provides pain and symptom management for the child." c. "The goal of palliative care is to place the child in a hospice setting at the end of life." d. "The goal of palliative care is to act as the liaison between the family, child, and other health care professionals."

B. The primary goal of palliative care is to provide pain and symptom management, not to hasten death or place the child in a hospice setting. Palliative care is provided by a multidisciplinary team whose goal it is to provide active total care for patients whose disease is no longer responding to curative treatment.

Which behavior is considered an approach behavior in parents of chronically ill children. A. Inability to adjust to a progression of the disease or condition B. Anticipation of future problems and seeking guidance and answers. C. Looking for new cures without a perspective toward possible benefit. D. Failing to recognize the seriousness of a child's condition despite physical evidence

B. Approach behaviors are coping mechanisms that result in a family's movement toward adjustment and resolution of the crisis of having a child with a chronic illness or disability. The parents who anticipate future problems and seek guidance and answers are demonstrating approach behaviors. They are demonstrating positive actions in caring for their child. Avoidance behaviors include being unable to adjust to a progression of the disease or condition, looking for new cures without a perspective toward possible benefit, and failing to recognize the seriousness of the child's condition despite physical evidence. These behaviors would suggest that the parents are moving away from adjustment or adaptation in the crisis of a child with chronic illness or disability.

Which intervention will encourage a sense of autonomy in a toddler with disabilities? A. Avoid separation from family during hospitalization B. Encouraging age appropriate independence in as many areas as possible C. Exposing child to pleasurable experiences as much as possible D. Helping parents learn special care needs of their child

B. Encouraging the toddler to be independent encourages a sense of autonomy. The child can be given choices about feeding, dressing, and diversional activities, which will provide a sense of control. Avoiding separation from family during hospitalization and helping parents learn special care needs of their child should be practiced as part of family-centered care. They do not particularly foster autonomy. Exposing the child to pleasurable experiences, especially sensory ones, is a supportive intervention. It does not particularly support autonomy.

Families progress through various stages of reactions when a child is diagnosed with a chronic illness or disability. After the shock phase, a period of adjustment usually follows that may be characterized by what reaction? a. Anger b. Over-protectiveness c. Social reintegration d. Guilt

B. For most families, the adjustment phase is accompanied by several responses that are normally part of the adjustment process. Over-protectiveness, rejection, denial, or gradual acceptance are common reactions. The initial diagnosis of a chronic illness or disability often is often met with intense emotion and characterized by guilt and anger. Social reintegration is the culmination of the adjustment process.

A nurse is planning palliative care for a child with severe pain. Which should the nurse expect to be prescribed for pain relief? a. Opioids as needed b. Opioids on a regular schedule c. Distraction and relaxation techniques d. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

B. Pain medications for children in palliative care should be given on a regular schedule, and extra doses for breakthrough pain should be available to maintain comfort. Opioid drugs such as morphine should be given for severe pain, and the dose should be increased as necessary to maintain optimal pain relief. Techniques such as distraction, relaxation techniques, and guided imagery should be combined with drug therapy to provide the child and family strategies to control pain. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs are not sufficient to manage severe pain for children in palliative care.

At the time of a child's death, the nurse tells his mother, "We will miss him so much." What does this statement indicate about the nurse? a. Pretending to be experiencing grief. b. Expressing personal feelings of loss. c. Denying the mother's sense of loss. d. Talking when listening would be better.

B. The death of a patient is one of the most stressful aspects of a critical care or oncology nurse. Nurses experience reactions similar to those of family members because of their involvement with the child and family during the illness. Nurses often have feelings of personal loss when a patient dies. The nurse is experiencing a normal grief response to the death of a patient. There is no implication that the mother's loss is minimized. The nurse is validating the worth of the child.

Lindsey, age 5 years with a diagnosis of cerebral palsy, will be starting kindergarten next month and will be placed in a special education classroom. The parents are tearful when telling the nurse about this and state that they did not realize that their child's disability was so severe. How should the nurse interpret this parental response? a. This is a sign that parents are in denial. b. This is a normal anticipated time of parental stress. c. The parents need to learn more about cerebral palsy. d. The parents are used to having expectations that are too high.

B. Parenting a child with a chronic illness can be very stressful for parents. There are anticipated times that parental stress increases. One of these identified times is when the child begins school. Nurses can help parents recognize and plan interventions to work through these stressful periods. The parents are not in denial; they are responding to the child's placement in school. The parents are not exhibiting signs of a knowledge deficit or expectations that are too high; this is their first interaction with the school system with this child.

A child with a serious chronic illness will soon be discharged home. The case manager requests that the family provide total care for the child for a couple of days while the child is still hospitalized. Based on the principles of family-centered care, which statement addresses this principle? a. Appropriate because families are usually eager to get involved. b. Appropriate because it can be beneficial to the transition from hospital to home. c. Inappropriate because of legal issues when parents care for their children on hospital property. d. Inappropriate because the family will have to assume the care soon enough and this may increase their stress unnecessarily.

B. Appropriate because it can be beneficial to the transition from hospital to home. This is appropriate. At least two family members should be comfortable caring for the child before discharge. Caring for the child with the nurse available to answer questions and provide support and guidance will make the transition home for the parents and child easier. The family needs to learn the skills necessary to care for the child at home. Their eagerness is important, but it is not the reason to provide total care for their child while still hospitalized. The family members will be able to learn to care for their child with the supervision of nursing staff. Legal issues related to caring for their child in the hospital setting are not relevant. Learning to care for their child before discharge is essential to properly prepare the family to assume the care and minimize their stress level as much as possible.

A case manager is assigned to coordinate the care of a child with a complex medical condition. The family is told that one of the goals is to control costs. This goal should be recognized as: a. unsafe. b. realistic. c. impossible. d. inappropriate.

B. Realistic Management of costs is one part of case management. With a case manager providing coordination and continuity across care settings and facilitating access to needed medical services, cost control is a realistic outcome. Cost management will only be unsafe if treatment and equipment necessary for the child's care are denied. Cost management is a realistic goal for the case manager, not an impossible one. Cost management is not an inappropriate one, unless treatment or equipment necessary for the child's care is denied.

A nurse has been assigned as the home health nurse for a technologically dependent child. The nurse recognizes that the background of this family differs widely from the nurse's own. The nurse views some of their lifestyle choices as less than ideal. What is the most appropriate nursing intervention? a. Assign the nurse a different family to follow. b. Respect the differences c. Assess why the family is different d. Determine whether the family is dysfunctional

B. Respect the differences The nurse must respect the family's culture and background. The family is the constant in the child's life, and cultural awareness and sensitivity are critical to a nurse's care of a child and family. The nurse may have some influence on care necessary for the child, but it is inappropriate to assign the nurse to a different family. Nurses must be able to work with families from all cultural groups and respect the differences between the families' cultural norms and those of the nurse's own culture. The nurse will assess the differences, but respecting these differences is what is important. Cultural differences do not make a family dysfunctional, unless the cultural practices are putting the child at risk.

A nurse is preparing to complete an admission assessment on a 2-year-old child. The child is sitting on the parent's lap. Which technique should the nurse implement to complete the physical exam? a. Ask the parent to place the child in the hospital crib. b. Take the child and parent to the exam room. c. Perform the exam while the child is on the parent's lap. d. Ask the child to stand by the parent while completing the exam.

C

A school-age child, admitted for intravenous antibiotic therapy for osteomyelitis, reports difficulty in going to sleep at night. Which intervention should the nurse implement to assist the child in going to sleep at bedtime? a. Request a prescription for a sleeping pill. b. Allow the child to stay up late and sleep late in the morning. c. Create a schedule similar to the one the child follows at home. d. Plan passive activities in the morning and interactive activities right before bedtime

C

What is the best action for the nurse to take when a 5-year-old child who requires another 2 days of intravenous (IV) antibiotics cries, screams, and resists having the IV restarted? a. Exit the room and leave the child alone until he stops crying. b. Tell the child big boys and girls "don't cry." c. Let the child decide which color arm board to use with the IV. d. Administer a narcotic analgesic for pain to quiet the child.

C

A child is playing in the playroom. The nurse needs to take a blood pressure on the child. Which is the appropriate procedure for obtaining the blood pressure? a. Take the blood pressure in the playroom. b. Ask the child to come to the exam room to obtain the blood pressure. c. Ask the child to return to his or her room for the blood pressure, then escort the child back to the playroom. d. Document that the blood pressure was not obtained because the child was in the playroom.

C The playroom is a safe haven for children, free from medical or nursing procedures. The child can be returned to his or her room for the blood pressure and then escorted back to the playroom. The exam room is reserved for painful procedures that should not be performed in the child's hospital bed. Documenting that the blood pressure was not obtained because the child was in the playroom is inappropriate.

What should the nurse identify as major fears in the school-age child who is hospitalized with a chronic illness? (Select all that apply.) a. Altered body image b. Separation from peer group c. Bodily injury d. Mutilation e. Being left alone

C,D,E Bodily injury, mutilation, and being left alone are all major fears of the school age. Altered body image and separation from peers are major fears in the adolescent.

At what age do most children have an adult concept of death as being inevitable, universal, and irreversible? a. 4 to 5 years b. 6 to 8 years c. 9 to 11 years d. 12 to 16 years

C. By age 9 to 11 years, children have an adult concept of death. They realize that it is inevitable, universal, and irreversible. Preschoolers and young school-age children are too young to have an adult concept of death. Adolescents have a mature understanding of death.

A 16 year old diagnosed with a chronic illness has recently become rebellious and is taking risks such as missing doses of his medication. What information should the nurse provide the parents to help explain their child's behavior? a. The child at this age requires more discipline. b. At this age, children need more socialization with peers. c. This behavior is seen as a normal part of adolescence. d. This is how the child is asking for more parental involvement in managing stress.

C. Risk taking, rebelliousness, and lack of cooperation are normal parts of adolescence. If the parents increase the amount of discipline, he will most likely be more rebellious. Socialization with peers should be encouraged as a part of adolescence. It is a normal part of adolescence during which the young adult is establishing independence.

A school-age child is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. The parents want to protect their child from knowing the seriousness of the illness. What information should the nurse provide to these parents? a. This will help the child cope effectively by denial. b. This attitude is helpful to give parents time to cope. c. Terminally ill children know when they are seriously ill. d. Terminally ill children usually choose not to discuss the seriousness of their illness.

C. The child needs honest and accurate information about the illness, treatments, and prognosis. Children, even at a young age, realize that something is seriously wrong and that it involves them. The nurse should help parents understand the importance of honesty. The child will know that something is wrong because of the increased attention of health professionals. This would interfere with denial as a form of coping. Parents may need professional support and guidance from a nurse or social worker in this process. Children will usually tell others how much information they want about their condition.

The nurse case manager is planning a care conference about a young child who has complex health needs and will soon be discharged home. Whom should the nurse invite to the conference? A. Family and nursing staff B. Social worker, nursing staff, and primary care physician C. Family and key health professionals involved in child's care D. Primary care physician and key health professionals involved in child's care

C. A multidisciplinary conference is necessary for coordination of care for children with complex health needs. The family and key health professionals who are involved in the child's care are included. The nursing staff can address the nursing care needs of the child with the family, but other involved disciplines must be included. The family must be included in the discharge conferences, which allow them to determine what education they will require and the resources needed at home. A member of the nursing staff must be included to review the nursing needs of the child.

The father of a 9 year old diagnosed with several physical disabilities explains to the nurse that his child concentrates on what he/she can do rather than cannot do and is as independent as possible. How should the nurse best interpret this statement? A. The father is experiencing denial B. The father is expressing his own views C. The child is using an adaptive coping style D. The child is using a maladaptive coping style

C. The father is describing a well-adapted child who has learned to accept physical limitations. These children function well at home, at school, and with peers. They have an understanding of their disorder that allows them to accept their limitations, assume responsibility for care, and assist in treatment and rehabilitation. The father is not denying the child's limitations or expressing his own views. This is descriptive of an adaptive coping style.

Which of the following symptoms is considered normal acute grief behavior? a. Feeling the need to have friends and relatives around b. Feeling an emotional closeness to friends and relatives c. Hearing the dead person's voice d. a, b, and c

C. Hearing the dead person's voice

When the nurse uses a standard nursing care plan as a guide in planning care for a hospitalized child, which should be eliminated? a. Expected outcome or goal b. Dependent nursing functions c. Problems not pertinent to the child and family d. Potential health problems of the child and family

C. Problems not pertinent to the child and family To create an individualized care plan, the nurse eliminates the irrelevant material and specific information not pertinent to the child and family in question. Consideration of an expected outcome or goal is an essential component of an individualized nursing care plan. Consideration of dependent nursing functions, or those interventions requiring an order, is an essential component of an individualized nursing care plan. Consideration of potential health problems of the child and family is an essential component of an individualized nursing care plan.

In helping a child to adapt to a hospitalization experience, the best approach would be to: a. allow the child to bring in all of his favorite toys to the hospital so as to represent a more familiar environment. b. let the parents bring in food from home that the child is used to eating for all meals. c. establish a daily routine and schedule with the child and parent to help maintain consistency. d. allow the child to select his room on the unit.

C. establish a daily routine and schedule with the child and parent to help maintain consistency. By providing a daily routine and schedule, the nurse helps to support consistency. It is not realistic for the child to bring in all of his favorite toys or allow the child to make a room selection on the unit. Bringing food in from home for all meals is not realistic and may not be advised based on therapeutic treatment.

Which term best describes a multidisciplinary approach to the management of a terminal illness that focuses on symptom control and support? a. Dying care b. Curative care c. Restorative care d. Palliative care

D. This is one of the definitions of palliative care. The goal of palliative care is the achievement of the highest possible quality of life for patients and their families. Curative care would infer providing a cure for the disease or disorder while restorative care involves measures to regain past abilities. Dying care generally refers to the care of an individual in the final stage of life.

Most parents of children with special needs tend to experience chronic sorrow. How may chronic sorrow be characterized? A. Lack of acceptance of the child's limitation B. Lack of available support to prevent sorrow. C. Periods of intensified sorrow when experiencing anger and guilt. D. Periods of intensified sorrow and loss that occur in waves over time

D. Chronic sorrow is manifested by feelings of sorrow and loss that recur in waves over time. The sorrow is in response to the recognition of the child's limitations. The family should be assessed in an ongoing manner to provide appropriate support as the needs of the family change. The sorrow is not preventable. The chronic sorrow occurs during the reintegration and acknowledgment stage.

The nurse, talking with the tearful parent of a child newly diagnosed with a chronic illness, asks, "Who do you talk with when something is worrying you?" What is the purpose of this statement? a. Inappropriate, because parent is so upset. b. A diversion of the present crisis to similar situations with which parent has dealt. c. An intervention to find someone to help parent. d. Part of assessing parent's available support system.

D. This question will provide information about the marital relationship (does the parent speak to the spouse?), alternate support systems, and ability to communicate. These are very important data for the nurse to obtain and an appropriate part of an accurate assessment. By assessing these areas, the nurse can facilitate the identification and use of community resources as needed. The nurse is obtaining information to help support the parent through the diagnosis. The parent is not in need of additional parenting help at this time.