Chapter 21: Family-Centered Care of the Child During Illness and Hospitalization

The nurse should expect a toddler to cope with the stress of a short period of separation from parents by displaying what? a. Regression b. Happiness c. Detachment d. Indifference

ANS: A Children in the toddler stage demonstrate goal-directed behaviors when separated from parents for short periods. They may demonstrate displeasure on the parents return or departure by having temper tantrums; refusing to comply with the usual routines of mealtime, bedtime, or toileting; or regressing to more primitive levels of development. Detachment would be seen with a prolonged absence of parents, not a short one. Toddlers would not be indifferent or happy when experiencing short separations from parents.

A child, age 4 years, tells the nurse that she needs a Band-Aid where she had an injection. What nursing action should the nurse implement? a. Apply a Band-Aid. b. Ask her why she wants a Band-Aid. c. Explain why a Band-Aid is not needed. d. Show her that the bleeding has already stopped.

ANS: A Children in this age group still fear that their insides may leak out at the injection site. The nurse should be prepared to apply a small Band-Aid after the injection. No explanation should be required.

When a preschool-age child is hospitalized without adequate preparation, the nurse should recognize that the child may likely see hospitalization as what? a. Punishment b. Loss of parental love c. Threat to the childs self-image d. Loss of companionship with friends

ANS: A The rationale for preparing children for the hospital experience and related procedures is based on the principle that a fear of the unknown (fantasy) exceeds fear of the known. Preschool-age children see hospitalization as a punishment. Loss of parental love would be a toddlers reaction. Threat to the childs self-image would be a school-age childs reaction. Loss of companionship with friends would be an adolescents reaction.

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. Toddlers c. Preschoolers 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 decrease their control and power. Infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, although affected by loss of power, are not as significantly affected as school-age children.

A nurse is interviewing the parents of a toddler about use of complementary or alternative medical practices. The parents share several practices they use in their household. Which should the nurse document as complementary or alternative medical practices (select all that apply)? a. Use of acetaminophen (Tylenol) for fever b. Administration of chamomile tea at bedtime c. Hypnotherapy for relief of pain d. Acupressure to relieve headaches e. Cool mist vaporizer at the bedside for "stuffiness"

B, C, D (b. Administration of chamomile tea at bedtime c. Hypnotherapy for relief of pain d. Acupressure to relieve headaches)

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.

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.)

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 (Allow the child to hold the digital thermometer while taking the child's blood pressure.)

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

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: 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."

A (Regression is seen during hospitalization.)

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 (Allows the child to express feelings)

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.

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.)

A hospitalized child is being released for home health care. What suggestions should the nurse provide to prepare the family for transporting the child home? Select all that apply. A. Take a basin in case of vomiting B. Avoid using the restraint system C. Keep a blanket and pillow in the car D. Discourage the use of a straw for drinking fluids E. Administer prescribed pain medication before leaving

A, C, E (The parents should use a basin or plastic bag for managing vomiting in the child. A blanket and pillow should be kept in the car to provide comfort. Pain medication can be administered before leaving to provide a pain-free journey home. The use of a car safety restraint system should be encouraged for the child's safety. Also, the use of a straw for drinking fluids should be encouraged except for children with oral facial surgeries.)

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 (Unfamiliar environment Strange smells Inadequate knowledge of condition and routine)

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. The nurse's best reply is: 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 (Because toddlers have a limited concept of time, the nurse should translate the mother's statement about being back around noon by linking the arrival time to a familiar activity that takes place at that time. Saying that the child's mother will always return does not give the child any information about when his mother will visit. Twelve noon is a meaningless concept for a toddler. Saying generally that the child's mother will visit does not give the child specific information about when his mother will visit.)

Olivia, age 5 years, tells the nurse that she "needs a Band-Aid" where she had an injection. The best nursing action is to: a. Apply a Band-Aid. b. Ask her why she wants a Band-Aid. c. Explain why a Band-Aid is not needed. d. Show her that the bleeding has already stopped.

A (Children in this age-group still fear that their insides may leak out at the injection site, even if the bleeding has stopped. Provide the Band-Aid. No explanation should be required.)

What are the various guidelines that the nurse has to follow for the admission of a child into the hospital? Select all that apply. A. Apply an identification band on the child's wrist. B. Obtain the nursing admission history of the child. C. Specimens for lab tests should not be taken. D. Orient the parents about the inpatient facilities. E. Hospital regulations should not be disclosed.

A, B, D (The nurse has to follow a few guidelines while admitting the child to the hospital. The nurse should apply an identification band on the child's wrist. This helps in providing appropriate care to the child. The nurse should take the nursing admission history in order to help to identify needs of the child. The nurse should explain to the parents as well as the child about the inpatient facilities. This would make them comfortable within the hospital. Specimens should be collected and may even be ordered for other specimens upon admission. The nurse should orient the parents and the child about the hospital regulations and schedules like visiting hours and food timings.)

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 (Encourage parents to bring in homework and schedule study times. Allow the adolescent to wear street clothes. Encourage parents to bring in favorite foods.)

The nurse is discharging a young child from the hospital. The nurse should instruct the parents to look for which posthospital child behaviors? Select all the apply. A. Tendency to cling to parents B. Jealousy toward others C. Demands for parents' attention D. Anger toward parents E. New fears such as nightmares

A, C, E (Young children's posthospital behaviors include: They show initial aloofness toward parents; this may last from a few minutes (most common) to a few days. This is frequently followed by dependency behaviors: tendency to cling to parents; demands for parents' attention; vigorous opposition to any separation (e.g., staying at preschool or with a babysitter). Other negative behaviors include: new fears (e.g., nightmares); resistance to going to bed, night waking; withdrawal and shyness; hyperactivity; temper tantrums; food peculiarities; attachment to blanket or toy; regression in newly learned skills (e.g., self-toileting). Posthospital behaviors for older children include negative behaviors: emotional coldness followed by intense, demanding dependence on parents; anger toward parents; jealousy toward others (e.g., siblings).)

Which behavior would most likely be manifested in a young child experiencing the protest phase of separation anxiety? A. Inactivity B. Clings to parent C. Depressed, sad D. Regression to earlier behavior

B (In the protest phase, the child aggressively responds to separation from parents (such as clinging to a parent). Inactivity is characteristic of despair. Depression and sadness are characteristics of despair. Regression to earlier behavior is characteristic of despair.)

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 (Perform the exam while the child is on the parent's lap.)

What is the primary disadvantage associated with outpatient and day facility care? a. Increased cost b. Increased risk of infection c. Lack of physical connection to the hospital d. Longer separation of the child from family

C (Lack of physical connection to the hospital)

The nurse needs to start an intravenous (IV) line on an 8-year-old child to begin administering intravenous antibiotics. The child starts to cry and tells the nurse, "Do it later, O.K.?" The nurse should: A. start the IV line because allowing the child to manipulate the nurse is bad. B. start the IV line because unlimited procrastination results in heightened anxiety. C. postpone starting the IV line until the child is ready so that the child experiences a sense of control. D. postpone starting the IV line until the child is ready so that the child's anxiety is reduced.

The nurse needs to start an intravenous (IV) line on an 8-year-old child to begin administering intravenous antibiotics. The child starts to cry and tells the nurse, "Do it later, O.K.?" The nurse should: A. start the IV line because allowing the child to manipulate the nurse is bad. B. start the IV line because unlimited procrastination results in heightened anxiety. C. postpone starting the IV line until the child is ready so that the child experiences a sense of control. D. postpone starting the IV line until the child is ready so that the child's anxiety is reduced. B (Intravenous antibiotics are a priority action for the nurse. A short delay may be possible to allow the child some choice, but a prolonged delay only serves to increase the anxiety. The nurse should start the IV line, recognizing that the child is attempting to gain control. If the timing of the IV line start was not essential for the start of IV antibiotics, postponing might be acceptable. The child may never be ready. The anxiety is likely to increase with prolonged delay.)

The psychosexual conflicts of preschool children make them extremely vulnerable to which threat? a. Loss of control b. Loss of identity c. Separation anxiety d. Bodily injury and pain

The psychosexual conflicts of preschool children make them extremely vulnerable to which threat? a. Loss of control b. Loss of identity c. Separation anxiety d. Bodily injury and pain

The nurse plans to assess the role-relationship pattern in a child. Which questions should the nurse ask the parents? Select all that apply. A. "Does the child have any security objects at home?" B. "How do you handle discipline problems at home?" C. "Have you ever noticed that your child sweats a lot?" D. "How does your child usually handle disappointments?" E. "Have any major changes in the family occurred lately?"

A, B, E (For assessing the role-relationship pattern in the child, the nurse should ask the parents about any security objects the child may have at home that provide comfort, discipline problems of the child, and family changes. From this information, the nurse can understand the relationship between the parents and the child. Information about sweating gives an idea about the elimination pattern in the child. Information about the disappointment handling potential of the child gives an idea about the child's coping-stress tolerance pattern.)

The nurse is assessing a familys use of complementary medicine practices. What practices are classified as mindbody control therapies? (Select all that apply.) a. Relaxation b. Acupuncture c. Prayer therapy d. Guided imagery e. Herbal medicine

ANS: A, C, D Relaxation, prayer therapy, and guided imagery are classified as mindbody control therapies. Acupuncture and herbal medicine are classified as traditional and ethnomedicine therapies.

Cognitive development influences response to pain. What age group is most concerned with the fear of losing control during a painful experience? a. Toddlers b. Preschoolers c. School-age children d. Adolescents

ANS: D Adolescents view illness as physiologic (an organ malfunction) and psychophysiologic (psychologic factors that affect health). Adolescents usually approach pain with self-control. They are concerned with remaining composed and feel embarrassed and ashamed of losing control. Toddlers and preschoolers react to pain primarily as a physical, concrete experience. Preschoolers may try to escape a procedure with verbal statements such as go away. Young school-age children may view pain as punishment for wrongdoing. This age group fears bodily harm.

A 9-year-old boy has an unplanned admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) after abdominal surgery. The nursing staff has completed the admission process, and his condition is beginning to stabilize. When speaking with the parents, the nurse should expect what additional stressor to be evident? a. Usual daynight routine b. Calming influence of staff c. Adequate privacy and support d. Insufficient remembering of his condition and routine

ANS: D ICUs, especially when the family is unprepared for the admission, are strange and unfamiliar. There are many pieces of unfamiliar equipment, and the sights and sounds are much different from those of a general hospital unit. Also, with the childs condition being more precarious, it may be difficult to keep the parents updated on what is happening. Lights are usually on around the clock, seriously disrupting the diurnal rhythm. In most ICUs, the staff works with a sense of urgency. It is difficult for parents to ask questions about their child when staff is with other patients. Usually little privacy is available for families in ICUs.

A parent needs to leave a hospitalized toddler for a short period of time. What action should the nurse suggest to the parent to ease the separation for the toddler? a. Bring a new toy when returning. b. Leave when the child is distracted. c. Tell the child when they will return. d. Leave a favorite article from home with the child.

ANS: D If the parents cannot stay with the child, they should leave favorite articles from home with the child, such as a blanket, toy, bottle, feeding utensil, or article of clothing. Because young children associate such inanimate objects with significant people, they gain comfort and reassurance from these possessions. They make the association that if the parents left this, the parents will surely return. Bringing a new toy would not help with the separation. The parent should not leave when the child is distracted, and toddlers would not understand when the parent should return because time is not a concept they understand.

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)

The nurse works in a pediatric unit. Which child would have an increased vulnerability to the stresses of hospitalization? A. A female child B. A child with a difficult temperament C. A child with an average intelligence D. A child older than 6 years of age

B (Hospitalization is a stressor in children and so they may react differently to it. Certain children are more susceptible to the stressful effects of hospitalization than others. Children who have difficult temperament may not readily adjust with the unfamiliar environment of the hospital. These children may experience adverse effects of hospitalization. Female children are able to withhold stress more when compared to male children and thus are less likely to experience stressors. Children with average intelligence may be able to understand their condition and the importance of hospitalization and thus may be more adaptable. Children with lower IQ would not understand the purpose of hospital admission and thus would be extremely stressed due to hospitalization. Children who are older than 6 years of age have developed the maturity to understand their condition and the purpose of hospitalization. Thus, they would be more adaptable to their condition, and experience less stress related to hospitalization.)

The nurse is educating a group of parents and children in the pediatric ward about the benefits of ambulatory care. What benefits does the nurse discuss with the group? Select all that apply. A. Improved care B. Increased cost-saving C. Reduced chances of infection D. Ambulatory care is lesser challenging E. Minimum stressors of hospitalization

B, C, E (Ambulatory care is associated with an increased cost-saving as compared to hospital admissions, since there are no admission-related costs. Ambulatory care is associated with lesser chances of acquiring infections due to limited exposure to health care facilities. Ambulatory care is devoid of the stressors of hospitalization. There is deficient care due to the absence of qualified medical person for supervision. Ambulatory care is more challenging when compared to hospitalization as the child and the parents need to rely mostly on themselves for providing care to the child.)

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 (Create a schedule similar to the one the child follows at home.)

A child is hospitalized for a chronic illness. Initially, the child showed symptoms of depression but later started interacting with others. What does the nurse infer from the patient's behavior? The child is: A. Content with the care provided. B. Showing improved social skills. C. Getting used to the surroundings. D. Detached from both parents.

D (Hospitalized children undergo depression when they are separated from their parents. As they go through the stages of separation anxiety, children eventually detach from their parents and develop new and shallow relationships. Children interact with others and develop new relationships as a result of resignation, not contentment. Children who are detached begin to show increased interest in their surroundings. They are also not developing their social interaction skills. Children try not to think about the separation; hence, they start developing new interactions.)

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. Toddlers c. Preschoolers d. School-age children

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 child is scheduled for a tonsillectomy and is afraid of the surgery. The child asks the nurse, "Will I need another operation when I have a sore throat again?" Which response should the nurse give to the child? A. "Once your tonsils are taken out, you will not need the surgery again." B. "You will need to repeat the surgery when you have another infection." C. "You will need to have another surgery when you turn 14 years old." D. "Once your tonsils are fixed, you will not have any more sore throats."

A (The child does not have enough knowledge about the tonsillectomy. Therefore the child may have fear about the surgery. The nurse should explain to the child that once the tonsils are removed, they do not need "fixing" again. It helps relieve the child's fear about the operation, and the child may feel comfortable. Once the tonsillectomy has been done in the child, a second operation is not required after another throat infection. There will actually not be a need for repeating the operation at any age. The child needs to be instructed that there may be other sore throats in the future. However, the child needs to be reassured that future sore throats will not require surgery.)

The nurse is preparing to administer a vaccine to a child. The child is refusing to take the vaccination because of fear of bleeding. What should the nurse do in this situation? A. Tell the child he or she can pick the bandage color. B. Tell the child bleeding will stop in a few seconds. C. Request a staff member sit beside the child. D. Give a favorite toy to the child for distraction.

A (The child is refusing to take vaccination because of fear of bleeding and pain. The nurse should ask the child to select the color of the bandage to be used. This reassures the child and will make him or her feel better. Even if the nurse tells the child that the bleeding will stop when the needle is removed, it does little to help relieve the child's fear. The nurse should not scold the child in a firm tone because the child may get frightened. Giving a favorite toy to the child for playing is not helpful for relieving the fear. A favorite toy may help the child sleep at night. Requesting a staff member sit beside the child may not be helpful for relieving the child's fear. It may be needed to help hold the child still during a procedure.)

A child is hospitalized for treatment of the flu. Once the child's parents leave, the child starts crying, looks for parents, attempts to leave, refuses to take medicine, hits other children, and breaks toys. What should the nurse conclude from the child's behavior? The child is in the: A. Protest stage. B. Despair stage. C. Denial stage. D. Detachment stage.

A (The child's behavior indicates that the child is in the protest stage of separation anxiety. The child is less able to cope with separation because of stress from the illness and wants to stay with the parents. The child expresses anger indirectly by showing behavioral changes. These behavioral changes are observed in the protest stage of separation anxiety. In the despair stage, the child appears less active, depressed, and uninterested in play and refuses to eat food. The denial stage is also called the detachment stage. In this stage the child is interested in the surroundings, plays with others, and forms new but superficial relationships with others.)

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

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.)

The nurse is obtaining the admission history of a recently admitted adolescent. The nurse notes the patient requires help inserting contact lenses. Under which functional health pattern should the nurse record this observation? A. Activity-exercise pattern B. Cognitive-perceptual pattern C. Nutrition-metabolic pattern D. Health perception-health management pattern

A (The nurse records the admission history of the patient in terms of different functional health patterns. This helps in documenting all the required information about the patient. The patient requires help inserting his or her contact lenses. This implies that the patient needs support to perform an activity. The nurse should record this information under the activity-exercise pattern. The cognitive-perceptual pattern recognizes the cognitive development in the child and includes information such as defects in vision, hearing, or grading in the school. The nutrition-metabolic pattern is used in the assessment of nutrition in the patient, food allergies, and food intake habits. The health perception-health management pattern reports the medication and the health history of the child.)

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.

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.)

A child has recently been admitted to the hospital. The child's parents have not yet arrived at the hospital. What behavior is the child exhibiting that leads the nurse to believe the child is exhibiting the stage of protest? The child: A. Screams and hits the nurse. B. Is withdrawn from others. C. Has the habit of bed-wetting. D. Sits in a corner with a toy.

A child has recently been admitted to the hospital. The child's parents have not yet arrived at the hospital. What behavior is the child exhibiting that leads the nurse to believe the child is exhibiting the stage of protest? The child: A. Screams and hits the nurse. B. Is withdrawn from others. C. Has the habit of bed-wetting. D. Sits in a corner with a toy.

A child is being discharged from an ambulatory care center after an inguinal hernia repair. Which discharge interventions should the nurse implement (select all that apply)? a. Discuss dietary restrictions. b. Hold any analgesic medications until the child is home. c. Send a pain scale home with the family. d. Suggest the parents fill the prescriptions on the way home. e. Discuss complications that may occur.

A, C, E (a. Discuss dietary restrictions. c. Send a pain scale home with the family. e. Discuss complications that may occur.)

The nurse is providing support to parents adapting to the hospitalization of their child to the pediatric intensive care unit. The nurse notices that the parents keep asking the same questions. What should the nurse do? a. Patiently continue to answer questions, trying different approaches. b. Kindly refer them to someone else for answering their questions. c. Recognize that some parents cannot understand explanations. d. Suggest that they ask their questions when they are not upset.

ANS: A In addition to a general pediatric unit, children may be admitted to special facilities such as an ambulatory or outpatient setting, an isolation room, or intensive care. Wherever the location, the core principles of patient and family-centered care provide a foundation for all communication and interventions with the patient, family, and health care team. The nurse should do the therapeutic action and patiently continue to answer questions, trying different approaches.

Parents of a hospitalized child often question the skill of staff. The nurse interprets this behavior by the parents as what? a. Normal b. Paranoid c. Indifferent d. Wanting attention

ANS: A 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 the health care team. The behavior does not indicate the parents are paranoid, indifferent, or wanting attention.

An 8-year-old girl is being admitted to the hospital from the emergency department with an injury from falling off her bicycle. What intervention will help her most in her adjustment to the hospital? a. Explain hospital schedules to her, 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 too 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 what to expect. The nurse should refer to the child by the preferred name. Explaining when parents can visit and why siblings cannot come focuses on the limitations rather than helping her adjust to the hospital. At the age of 8 years, the child should be oriented to the environment along with the parents.

The mother of a 7-month-old infant newly diagnosed with cystic fibrosis is rooming in with her infant. She is breastfeeding and provides all the care except for the medication administration. What should the nurse include in the plan of care? a. Ensuring that the mother has time away from the infant b. Making sure the mother is providing all of the infants care c. Determining whether other family members can provide the necessary care so the mother can rest d. Contacting the social worker because of the mothers interference with the nursing care

ANS: A The mother needs sufficient rest and nutrition so she can be effective as a caregiver. While the infant is hospitalized, the care is the responsibility of the nursing staff. The mother should be made comfortable with the care the staff provides in her absence. The mother has a right to provide care for the infant. The nursing staff and the mother should agree on the care division.

1. 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. PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyze REF: 613 TOP: Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Evaluation MSC: Area of Client Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance

The nurse relates to parents that there are some beneficial effects of hospitalization for their child. What are beneficial effects of hospitalization? (Select all that apply.) a. Recovery from illness b. Improve coping abilities c. Opportunity to master stress d. Provide a break from school e. Provide new socialization experiences

ANS: A, B, C, E The most obvious benefit is the recovery from illness, but hospitalization also can present an opportunity for children to master stress and feel competent in their coping abilities. The hospital environment can provide children with new socialization experiences that can broaden their interpersonal relationships. Having a break from school is not a benefit of hospitalization.

What are signs and symptoms of the stage of despair in relation to separation anxiety in young children? (Select all that apply.) a. Withdrawn from others b. Uncommunicative c. Clings to parents d. Physically attacks strangers e. Forms new but superficial relationships f. Regresses to early behaviors

ANS: A, B, F Manifestations of the stage of despair seen in children during a hospitalization may include withdrawing from others, being uncommunicative, and regressing to earlier behaviors. Clinging to parents and physically attacking a stranger should be seen during the stage of protest, and forming new but superficial relationships is seen during the stage of detachment.

What factors can negatively affect parents reactions to their childs illness? (Select all that apply.) a. Additional stresses b. Previous coping abilities c. Lack of support systems d. Seriousness of the threat to the child e. Previous experience with hospitalization

ANS: A, C, D The factors that can negatively affect parents reactions to their childs illness are additional stresses, lack of support systems, and the seriousness of the threat to the child. Previous coping abilities and previous experience with hospitalization would have a positive effect on coping.

Parents tell the nurse that siblings of their hospitalized child are feeling left out. What suggestions should the nurse make to the parents to assist the siblings to adjust to the hospitalization of their brother or sister? (Select all that apply.) a. Arrange for visits to the hospital. b. Limit information given to the siblings. c. Encourage phone calls to the hospitalized child. d. Make or buy inexpensive toys or trinkets for the siblings. e. Identify an extended family member to be their support system.

ANS: A, C, D, E Strategies to support siblings during hospitalization include arranging for visits, encouraging phone calls, giving inexpensive gifts, and identifying a support person. Information should be shared with the siblings not limited.

What are signs and symptoms of the stage of detachment in relation to separation anxiety in young children? (Select all that apply.) a. Appears happy b. Lacks interest in the environment c. Regresses to an earlier behavior d. Forms new but superficial relationships e. Interacts with strangers or familiar caregivers

ANS: A, D, E Manifestations of the stage of detachment seen in children during a hospitalization may include appearing happy, forming new but superficial relationships, and interacting with strangers or familiar caregivers. Lacking interest in the environment and regressing to an earlier behavior are manifestations seen in the stage of despair.

The parents tell a nurse our child is having some short-term negative outcomes since the hospitalization. The nurse recognizes that what can negatively affect short-term negative outcomes? (Select all that apply.) a. Parents anxiety b. Consistent nurses c. Number of visitors d. Length of hospitalization e. Multiple invasive procedures

ANS: A, D, E The stressors of hospitalization may cause young children to experience short- and long-term negative outcomes. Adverse outcomes may be related to the length and number of admissions, multiple invasive procedures, and the parents anxiety. Consistent nurses would have a positive effect on short-term negative outcomes. The number of visitors does not have an effect on negative outcomes.

The nurse is notified that a 9-year-old boy with nephrotic syndrome is being admitted. Only semiprivate rooms are available. What roommate should be best to select? a. A 10-year-old girl with pneumonia b. An 8-year-old boy with a fractured femur c. A 10-year-old boy with a ruptured appendix d. A 9-year-old girl with congenital heart disease

ANS: B An 8-year-old boy with a fractured femur would be the best choice for a roommate. The boys are similar in age. The child with nephrotic syndrome most likely will be on immunosuppressive agents and susceptible to infection. The child with a fractured femur is not infectious. A girl should not be a good roommate for a school-age boy. In addition, the 10-year-old girl with pneumonia and the 10-year-old boy with a ruptured appendix have infections and could pose a risk for the child with nephrotic syndrome.

A 13-year-old child with cystic fibrosis (CF) is a frequent patient on the pediatric unit. This admission, she is sleeping during the daytime and unable to sleep at night. What should be a beneficial strategy for this child? a. Administer prescribed sedative at night to aid in sleep. b. Negotiate a daily schedule that incorporates hospital routine, therapy, and free time. c. Have the practitioner speak with the child about the need for rest when receiving therapy for CF. d. Arrange a consult with the social worker to determine whether issues at home are interfering with her care.

ANS: B Childrens response to the disruption of routine during hospitalization is demonstrated in eating, sleeping, and other activities of daily living. The lack of structure is allowing the child to sleep during the day, rather than at night. Most likely the lack of schedule is the problem. The nurse and child can plan a schedule that incorporates all necessary activities, including medications, mealtimes, homework, and patient care procedures. The schedule can then be posted so the child has a ready reference. Sedatives are not usually used with children. The child has a chronic illness and most likely knows the importance of rest. The parents and child can be questioned about changes at home since the last hospitalization.

The nurse is caring for a 10-year-old child during a long hospitalization. What intervention should the nurse include in the care plan to minimize loss of control and autonomy during the hospitalization? a. Allow the child to skip morning self-care activities to watch a favorite television program. b. Create a calendar with special events such as a visit from a friend to maintain a routine. c. Allow the child to sleep later in the morning and go to bed later at night to promote control. d. Create a restrictive environment so the child feels in control of sensory stimulation.

ANS: B School-age children may feel an overwhelming loss of control and autonomy during a longer hospitalization. One intervention to minimize this loss of control is to create a calendar with planned special events such as a visit from a friend. Maintaining the childs daily routine is another intervention to minimize the sense of loss of control; allowing the child to skip morning self-care activities, sleep later, or stay up later would work against this goal. Environments should be as nonrestrictive as possible to allow the child freedom to move about, thus allowing a sense of autonomy.

The parents of a 4-month-old infant cannot visit except on weekends. What action by the nurse indicates an understanding of the emotional needs of a young infant? a. Place her in a room away from other children. b. Assign her to the same nurse as much as possible. c. Tell the parents that frequent visiting is unnecessary. d. Assign her to different nurses so she will have varied contacts.

ANS: B The infant is developing a sense of trust. This is accomplished by the consistent, loving care of a nurturing person. If the parents are unable to visit, then the same staff nurses should be used as much as possible. Placing her in a room away from other children would isolate the child. The parents should be encouraged to visit. The nurse should describe how the staff will care for the infant in their absence.

A 10-year-old girl needs to have another intravenous (IV) line started. She keeps telling the nurse, Wait a minute, and, Im not ready. How should the nurse interpret this behavior? a. IV insertions are viewed as punishment. b. This is expected behavior for a school-age child. c. Protesting like this is usually not seen past the preschool years. d. The child has successfully manipulated the nurse in the past.

ANS: B This school-age child is attempting to maintain some control over the hospital experience. The nurse should provide the girl with structured choices about when the IV line will be inserted. Preschoolers can view procedures as punishment; this is not typical behavior of a preschool-age child.

What are core principles of patient- and family-centered care? (Select all that apply.) a. Collaboration b. Empowering families c. Providing formal and informal support d. Maintaining strict policy and procedure routines e. Withholding information that is likely to cause anxiety

ANS: B, C Core principles of patent- and family-centered care include collaboration, empowerment, and providing formal and informal support. There should be flexibility in policy and procedures, and communication should be complete, honest, and unbiased, not withheld.

What nursing interventions should the nurse plan for a hospitalized toddler to minimize fear of bodily injury? (Select all that apply.) a. Perform procedures slowly. b. Maintain parentchild contact. c. Use progressively smaller dressings on surgical incisions. d. Tell the child bleeding will stop after the needle is removed. e. Remove a dressing as quickly as possible from surgical incisions.

ANS: B, C Whenever procedures are performed on young children, the most supportive intervention to minimize the fear of bodily injury is to do the procedure as quickly as possible while maintaining parentchild contact. Because of toddlers and preschool childrens poorly defined body boundaries, the use of bandages may be particularly helpful. For example, telling children that the bleeding will stop after the needle is removed does little to relieve their fears, but applying a small Band-Aid usually reassures them. The size of bandages is also significant to children in this age group; the larger the bandage, the more importance is attached to the wound. Watching their surgical dressings become successively smaller is one way young children can measure healing and improvement. Prematurely removing a dressing may cause these children considerable concern for their well-being.

The nurse is assessing a familys use of complementary medicine practices. What practices are classified as nutrition, diet, and lifestyle or behavioral health changes? (Select all that apply.) a. Reflexology b. Macrobiotics c. Megavitamins d. Health risk reduction e. Chiropractic medicine

ANS: B, C, D Macrobiotics, megavitamins, and health risk reduction are classified as nutrition, diet, and lifestyle or behavioral health changes. Reflexology and chiropractic medicine are classified as structural manipulation and energetic therapies.

What influences a childs reaction to the stressors of hospitalization? (Select all that apply.) a. Gender b. Separation c. Support systems d. Developmental age e. Previous experience with illness

ANS: B, C, D, E Major stressors of hospitalization include separation, loss of control, bodily injury, and pain. Childrens reactions to these crises are influenced by their developmental age; previous experience with illness, separation, or hospitalization; innate and acquired coping skills; seriousness of the diagnosis; and support systems available. Gender does not have an effect on a childs reaction to stressors of hospitalization.

The nurse is assessing a childs functional self-care level for feeding, bathing and hygiene, dressing, and grooming and toileting. The child requires assistance or supervision from another person and equipment or device. What code does the nurse assign for this child? a. I b. II c. III d. IV

ANS: C A code of III indicates the child requires assistance from another person and equipment or device. A code of I indicates use of equipment or device. A code of II indicates assistance or supervision from another person. A code of IV indicates the child is totally dependent.

Two hospitalized adolescents are playing pool in the activity room. Neither of them seems enthusiastic about the game. How should the nurse interpret this situation? a. Playing pool requires too much concentration for this age group. b. Pool is an activity better suited for younger children. c. The adolescents may be enjoying themselves but have lower energy levels than healthy children. d. The adolescents lack of enthusiasm is one of the signs of depression.

ANS: C Children who are ill and hospitalized typically have lower energy levels than healthy children. Therefore, children may not appear enthusiastic about an activity even when they are enjoying it. Pool is an appropriate activity for adolescents. They have the cognitive and psychomotor skills that are necessary. If the adolescents were significantly depressed, they would be unable to engage in the game.

What parents should have the most difficult time coping with their childs hospitalization? a. Parents of a child hospitalized for juvenile arthritis b. Parents of a child hospitalized with a recent diagnosis of bronchiolitis c. Parents of a child hospitalized for sepsis resulting from an untreated injury d. Parents of a child hospitalized for surgical correction of undescended testicles

ANS: C Factors that affect parents reactions to their childs illness include the seriousness of the threat to the child. The parents of a child hospitalized for sepsis resulting from an untreated injury would have more difficulty coping because of the seriousness of the illness and because the wound was not treated immediately.

What behavior should most likely be manifested in an infant experiencing the protest phase of separation anxiety? a. Inactivity b. Depression and sadness c. Inconsolable and crying d. Regression to earlier behavior

ANS: C For older infants, being inconsolable and crying is seen during the protest phase of separation anxiety. Inactivity is observed during the stage of despair. The child is much less active and withdraws from others. Depression, sadness, and regression to earlier behaviors are observed during the phase of despair.

The parents of a 3-year-old admitted for recurrent diarrhea are upset that the practitioner has not told them what is going on with their child. What is the priority intervention for this family? a. Answer all of the parents questions about the childs illness. b. Immediately page the practitioner to come to the unit to speak with the family. c. Help the family develop a written list of specific questions to ask the practitioner. d. Inform the family of the time that hospital rounds are made so that they can be present.

ANS: C Often families ask general questions of health care providers and do not receive the information they need. The nurse should determine what information the family does want and then help develop a list of questions. When the questions are written, the family can remember which questions to ask or can hand the sheet to the practitioner for answers. The nurse may have the information the parents want, but they are asking for specific information from the practitioner. Unless it is an emergency, the nurse should not place a stat page for the practitioner. Being present is not necessarily the issue but rather the ability to get answers to specific questions.

The nurse is admitting a 7-year-old child to the pediatric unit for abdominal pain. To determine what the child understands about the reason for hospitalization, what should the nurse do? a. Find out what the parents have told the child. b. Review the note from the admitting practitioner. c. Ask the child why he came to the hospital today. d. Question the parents about why they brought the child to the hospital.

ANS: C School-age children are able to answer questions. The only way for the nurse to know about the childs understanding of the reason for hospitalization is to ask the child directly. Finding out what the parents told the child and why they brought the child to the hospital or reading the admitting practitioners description of the reason for admission will not provide information about what the child has heard and retained.

A 6-year-old is being discharged home, which is 90 miles from the hospital, after an outpatient hernia repair. In addition to explicit discharge instructions, what should the nurse provide? a. An ambulance for transport home b. Verbal information about follow-up care c. Prescribed pain medication before discharge d. Driving instructions for a route with less traffic

ANS: C The nurse should anticipate that the child will begin experiencing pain on the trip home. By providing a dose of oral analgesia, the nurse can ensure the child remains comfortable during the trip. Transport by ambulance is not indicated for a hernia repair. Discharge instructions should be written. The parents will be focusing on their child and returning home, which limits their ability to retain information. The parents should know the most expedient route home.

2. During the first 4 days of hospitalization, Eric, age 18 months, cried inconsolably when his parents left him, and he refused the staff's attention. Now the nurse observes that Eric appears to be "settled in" and unconcerned about seeing his parents. The nurse should interpret this as which statement? a. He has successfully adjusted to the hospital environment. b. He has transferred his trust to the nursing staff. c. He may be experiencing detachment, which is the third stage of separation anxiety. d. Because he is "at home" in the hospital now, seeing his mother frequently will only start the cycle again.

ANS: C Detachment is a behavior manifestation of separation anxiety. Superficially it appears that the child has adjusted to the loss. Detachment is a sign of resignation, not contentment. Parents should be encouraged to be with their child. If parents restrict visits, they may begin a pattern of misunderstanding the child's cues and not meeting his needs. PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyze REF: 613 TOP: Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Diagnosis MSC: Area of Client Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance

What factors influence the effects of a childs hospitalization on siblings? (Select all that apply.) a. Older siblings b. Experiencing minimal changes c. Receiving little information about their ill brother or sister d. Being cared for outside the home by care providers who are not relatives e. Perceiving that their parents treat them differently compared with before their siblings hospitalization

ANS: C, D, E Various factors have been identified that influence the effects of a childs hospitalization on siblings. Factors that are related specifically to the hospital experience and increase the effects on the sibling are being cared for outside the home by care providers who are not relatives, receiving little information about their ill brother or sister, and perceiving that their parents treat them differently compared with before their siblings hospitalization. Being younger, not older, and experiencing many changes, not minimal changes, are factors that influence the effects of a childs hospitalization on siblings.

The nurse is caring for a 3-year-old child during a long hospitalization. The parent is concerned about how to support the childs siblings during the hospitalization. What statement is appropriate for the nurse to make? a. You should choose one parent to spend every night in the hospital while the other parent stays at home with the other children. b. You could leave your hospitalized child for periods at night to be at home with the other children. c. You should discourage the siblings from visiting because this could upset everyone in the family. d. You could encourage a nightly phone call between the siblings as part of the bedtime routine.

ANS: D A supportive measure for siblings of a hospitalized child is to have a routine of a phone call at some point during the day or evening so the parent at the hospital can stay in touch and the children at home are involved and can hear that their sibling is doing well. Parents should alternate who stays at the hospital overnight to prevent burnout and to allow each parent time at home with the siblings. Encourage siblings to visit if appropriate to keep the family unit intact. Leaving the hospitalized child alone at night will not support the siblings at home and may cause problems with the hospitalized child.

What choice of words or phrases would be inappropriate to use with a child? a. Rolling bed for stretcher b. Special medicine for dye c. Make sleepy for deaden d. Catheter for intravenous

ANS: D Children can grasp information only if it is presented on or close to their level of cognitive development. This necessitates an awareness of the words used to describe events or processes, and exploring family traditions or approaches to information sharing and creating patient specific language or context. Therefore, to prevent or alleviate fears, nurses must be aware of the medical terminology and vocabulary that they use every day and be sensitive to the use of slang or confusing terminology. Catheter is a medical term and would be confusing.

The nurse needs to assess a 15-month-old child who is sitting quietly on his fathers lap. What initial action by the nurse would be most appropriate? a. Ask the father to place the child on the exam table. b. Undress the child while he is still sitting on his fathers lap. c. Talk softly to the child while taking him from his father. d. Begin the assessment while the child is in his fathers lap.

ANS: D For young children, particularly infants and toddlers, preserving parentchild contact is a good way of decreasing stress or the need for physical restraint during an assessment. For example, much of a patients physical examination can be done with the patient in a parents lap with the parent providing reassuring and comforting contact. The initial action would be to begin the assessment while the child is in his fathers lap.

A 6-year-old child is admitted to the pediatric unit and requires bed rest. Having art supplies available meets which purpose? a. Allows the child to create gifts for parents b. Provides developmentally appropriate activities c. Is essential for play therapy so the child can work on past problems d. Lets the child express thoughts and feelings through pictures rather than words

ANS: D The art supplies allow the child to draw images that come into the mind. This can help the child develop symbols and then verbalize reactions to illness and hospitalization. The child can make gifts and drawings for parents, but the goal is to allow expression of feelings. Although art is developmentally and situationally appropriate, the child benefits by being able to express feelings nonverbally. The art supplies are not therapeutic play but a mechanism for expressive play. The child will not work on past problems.

The nurse is doing a prehospitalization orientation for a girl, age 7 years, who is scheduled for cardiac surgery. As part of the preparation, the nurse explains that after the surgery, the child will be in the intensive care unit. How might the explanation by the nurse be viewed? a. Unnecessary b. The surgeons responsibility c. Too stressful for a young child d. An appropriate part of the childs preparation

ANS: D The explanation is a necessary part of preoperative preparation and will help reduce the anxiety associated with surgery. If the child wakes in the intensive care unit and is not prepared for the environment, she will be even more anxious. This is a joint responsibility of nursing, medical staff, and child life personnel.

The nurse is instructing student nurses about the stress of hospitalization for children from middle infancy throughout the preschool years. What major stress should the nurse relate to the students? a. Pain b. Bodily injury c. Loss of control d. Separation anxiety

ANS: D The major stress from middle infancy throughout the preschool years, especially for children ages 6 to 30 months, is separation anxiety.

A spinal tap must be done on a 9-year-old boy. While he is waiting in the treatment room, the nurse observes that he seems composed. When the nurse asks him if he wants his mother to stay with him, he says, I am fine. How should the nurse interpret this situation? a. This child is unusually brave. b. He has learned that support does not help. c. Nine-year-old boys do not usually want a parent present during the procedure. d. Children in this age group often do not request support even though they need and want it.

ANS: D The school-age childs visible composure, calmness, and acceptance often mask an inner longing for support. Children of this age have a more passive approach to pain and an indirect request for support. It is especially important to be aware of nonverbal cues such as facial expression, silence, and lack of activity. Usually when someone identifies the unspoken messages, the child will readily accept support.

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.

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.)

The nurse has been assigned to the pediatric respiratory unit. What is the preliminary requirement for the nurse to evaluate improvement in the respiratory function of the child with treatment? A. The child's feedback B. The baseline data C. The parents' opinion D. The primary health care provider's opinion

B (It is impossible to evaluate the improvement in the respiratory function of the child without having any baseline data. The child's feedback provides only subjective assessment. Evaluation of respiratory system function requires formal knowledge of the respiratory system assessment. Therefore, parent opinion is not reliable for improvement in the child's respiratory function. Evaluation of the improvement in the respiratory function requires objective assessment. Obtaining the primary health care provider's opinion is a type of subjective assessment.)

The nurse is teaching the nursing students about functions of play in the hospital. Which statement made by the nursing student indicates the need for further teaching? "Play: A. Can lessen the stress of separation from the family." B. Makes the child nervous in a strange environment." C. Helps the child develop a positive attitude for others." D. Provides an expressive outlet for the child's creative ideas."

B (Play is one of the most important aspects of a child's life and one of the most effective tools for managing stress. It is helpful for the child to relieve stress. It is also essential for the child's mental, emotional, and social well-being. Play does not make the child anxious in an unfamiliar environment. It helps the child feel more secure in a strange environment. Play lessens the stress of separation from the family because the child is busy. During play, the child communicates with others, which helps develop a positive attitude toward others. It also stimulates thinking in the child by allowing the child to express creative ideas.)

The nurse is assessing a child's level of self-care. The nurse documents a rating of II for dressing and grooming. What can be inferred from this rating? The child: A. Is independent on all aspects of personal care. B. Depends on the supervision of another person. C. Needs to use equipment or another adaptive device. D. Requires direction from a person and uses equipment.

B (The self-care scale can be used for rating the functional self-care abilities of the child. The score ranges from 0 to IV. If the child is scored a II, this implies that the child requires assistance or supervision from another person. A child who is independent with activities of daily living would receive a 0. A score of I implies that the child requires equipment or a device for self-care. A score of III implies that the child requires assistance or supervision from another person and equipment or a device. A score of IV implies that the child is totally dependent and does not participate.)

The nurse is explaining the health care bill of rights for children to parents and children in a pediatric ward. What key information does the nurse discuss with the group? Select all that apply. A. Quality health care B. Economic assistance C. Respect and personal dignity D. Making choices and decisions E. Complex information

B, C, D (The bill of rights emphasizes the quality of health care to the children and explains that children and teens should be treated with respect and dignity. The bill also states that children have the right to make choices and decisions in their health care. Children have right to get emotional support from the health care professionals. Children cannot always expect economic assistance from the hospital. The nurse need not explain complicated information such as pathologic process of the disease to the child since the child will not be able to understand. Such information should be provided to the caregivers of the child.)

When admitting a child to the inpatient pediatric unit, the nurse should assess for which risk factors that can increase the child's stress level associated with hospitalization? Select all that apply. A. Mild temperament B. Lack of fit between parent and child C. Below-average intelligence D. Age E. Gender

B, C, D, E (Risk factors for increased stress level of a child to illness or hospitalization: "Difficult" temperament; Lack of fit between child and parent; Age (especially between 6 months and 5 years old); Male gender; Below-average intelligence; Multiple and continuing stresses (e.g., frequent hospitalizations).)

The nursing student is caring for a child admitted to the hospital. The nursing student asks the nurse instructor, "How can we keep the child's routine habits while he is in the hospital?" What would be the best response by the nurse instructor? Select all that apply. "Ask the parents: A. "About the use of any herbal therapies." B. "When the child goes to sleep at night." C. "What foods the child prefers to eat." D. "How the child's grades are in school." E. "Which toy the child plays with at home."

B, C, E (The nurse should assess the child's usual health habits at home to promote a more normal environment in the hospital. This includes the child's sleep-rest, nutritional-metabolic, and activity-exercise patterns. The nurse would assess the sleep-rest pattern by asking when the child goes to sleep at night. Assessing the nutritional-metabolic pattern would include asking about food preferences. The nurse should also ask what toy the child plays with at home as part of the activity-exercise pattern. These will help the nurse plan individualized care for the child. History about herbal and complementary therapy helps in preventing drug-drug interaction and severe adverse effects.)

After assessment, the nurse notices that a child is in the detachment stage of separation anxiety. Which behavioral changes would the nurse observe in the child? Select all that apply. A. Refuses to eat, drink, or get out of the bed B. Shows an increased interest in the surroundings C. Tries to leave the hospital to find the parents D. Begins to form new relationships with others E. Interacts with strangers or familiar caregivers

B, D, E (Detachment is the third stage of separation anxiety. It is also referred to as the denial stage. In this stage the child begins to take an interest in the surroundings. The child also forms new but superficial relationships with others and becomes more interested in interacting with strangers or familiar caregivers. The child's behavior indicates that the child has finally adjusted to the loss of the parents. This is a serious stage because reversal of the potential adverse effects is less likely to occur after detachment. Refusing to eat, drink, and get out of bed are characteristics of the despair stage of separation anxiety. Attempting to leave the hospital to find the parents is observed in protest stage of separation anxiety.)

A 14-year-old boy is being admitted to the hospital for an appendectomy. Which roommate should the nurse assign with this patient? a. A 4-year-old boy who is first day post-appendectomy surgery b. A 6-year-old boy with pneumonia c. A 15-year-old boy admitted with a vaso-occlusive sickle cell crisis d. A 12-year-old boy with cellulitis

C (A 15-year-old boy admitted with a vaso-occlusive sickle cell crisis.)

A child who has undergone orofacial surgery is getting discharged. The nurse teaches the parents about how to safely transport the child on the way home. Which statement made by the parents indicates a need for additional teaching? "We should: A. Have a blanket and pillow for our child for the car ride home." B. Have a plastic bag for our child in case of nausea and vomiting." C. Use a cup with a lid and a straw for giving fluids to our child." D. Make sure our child has pain medication before discharge."

C (Children who undergo orofacial surgery should not use a straw for drinking fluids because it can damage the surgical site. Therefore the parents should not use cup with a lid and a straw for giving fluids to the child. The parents should bring a blanket and pillow for the child in the car so that the child can sit or sleep properly. Parents should bring a plastic bag, which will be helpful if the child becomes nauseated or vomits. The parents should give prescribed pain medication to the child before leaving the facility for relieving pain.)

During the assessment of a child, the nurse finds that the child is inactive, depressed, sad, and uncommunicative; refuses to eat; and generally lacks interest in everything around her. What should the nurse interpret from this assessment? The child is in the: A. Denial stage. B. Protest stage. C. Despair stage. D. Detachment stage

C (From this assessment, the nurse interprets that the child is in the despair stage. This is the second stage of separation anxiety. In the despair stage, the child appears less active, depressed, and uninterested in play or food. In this stage the child's physical condition may deteriorate from refusing to eat, drink, or get out of bed. The denial stage is the third stage of separation anxiety. In the denial stage, the child is more interested in the surroundings, plays with others, and forms new but superficial relationships with others. In the protest stage, the child reacts aggressively, cries, screams, and searches for the parents with the eyes. Detachment is the third stage of separation anxiety. It is also called denial.)

During the first 4 days of hospitalization, Eric, age 18 months, cried inconsolably when his parents left him, and he refused the staff's attention. Now the nurse observes that Eric appears to be "settled in" and unconcerned about seeing his parents. The nurse should interpret this as which of the following? a. He has successfully adjusted to the hospital environment. b. He has transferred his trust to the nursing staff. c. He may be experiencing detachment, which is the third stage of separation anxiety. d. Because he is "at home" in the hospital now, seeing his mother frequently will only start the cycle again.

C (He may be experiencing detachment, which is the third stage of separation anxiety.)

Why does the nurse ask the parents of a hospitalized child to bring the child's blanket from home? A. To alleviate any fears in the child B. To decrease any allergic reactions C. To provide comfort for the child D. To keep the child warm at night

C (If the parents cannot stay with the child in the hospital, the nurse may ask the parents to leave an article such as a blanket or toy from home. This is because young children associate such inanimate objects with significant people, and they gain comfort and reassurance from these possessions. When a child is frightened, the nurse should provide physical contact to ease the child. If the child is allergic to the linens at the hospital, it would be the hospital's responsibility to find alternative bedding. There are plenty of blankets available in the hospital, so the parents would not bring the blanket to keep the child warm.)

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 (Let the child decide which color arm board to use with the IV.)

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."

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.

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.)

The nurse develops a plan of care based on the information documented in a child's admission assessment. The nurse instructs the health care team that they should not leave the room until the child falls asleep. What information documented under the self-perception-self-concept pattern would necessitate this nursing intervention? The child has: A. Nightmares. B. Disturbed sleep patterns. C. A fear of sleeping alone. D. The habit of bed-wetting.

C (The child has fear of sleeping alone in the room. This information is usually noted under the self-perception—self-concept pattern of the nursing history. The nurse tries to comfort the child's fear of sleeping alone by being present until the child falls asleep. Nightmares can be managed by comforting the child and preventing specific fears. Nightmares and disturbed sleep may be brought on by hospitalization and may improve once the child adapts himself or herself to the new environment. Bed-wetting is common in younger children but needs further evaluation in older children.)

The nurse is caring for a child with cancer. What should the nurse ask the child's parents about in order to obtain information about the child's coping-stress tolerance pattern? A. "How do you both handle discipline problems at home?" B. "Have you ever noticed if your child has many friends?" C. "How does your child usually handle disappointment?" D. "Who will be staying with your child at the hospital?"

C (The nurse should ask the child's parents about how the child usually handles disappointment. This can help the nurse understand the coping-stress tolerance pattern of the child. It is also helpful for identifying stressors in the child. It is important to know how discipline problems are managed in the child. This helps to know about the child and parent role-relationship pattern. When the nurse asks about the child's friends, it is to assess the child's role and relationship patterns outside the home. The nurse can understand the role and relationship pattern between the parents and child after knowing who will stay in the hospital with the child.)

The nurse is assessing the functional self-care level of a child and determines that the child requires the assistance of a caregiver for general hygiene and dressing. How would the nurse rate the child? A. 0 B. I C. II D. IV

C (The nurse should rate the child as a II (two) because the child requires assistance of a caregiver for general hygiene and dressing. A grading of 0 (zero) is given to the child who is capable of taking full self-care. A grading of a I (one) is given to the child who requires the use of equipment or a device for self-care. A child who is totally dependent and does not participate in self-care would be rated a IV (four).)

The nurse is caring for a child with an influenza viral infection. The child is anxious because the parents are unable to stay with the child. What should the nurse do to relieve the child's anxiety? The nurse should: A. Not maintain any eye contact with the child. B. Not speak with the child about missing the parents. C. Use the phone to let the child talk with the parents. D. Use a laptop to allow the child and parents to talk

C (The nurse should use a telephone to maintain contact between the child and parents so that the child can feel comfortable. It helps relieve the child's anxiety. The nurse should maintain eye contact and gently touch the child to establish rapport. The nurse should talk with the child about the parents and family to prevent detachment of the child from the parents. The nurse should not use a laptop to contact the child and parents. The laptop may not be compatible with medical equipment, and use may be restricted in certain areas.)

The nurse gets out finger painting materials made from wallpaper paste for a child. After reviewing the child's medical record, the nurse decides to get out crayons and a coloring book instead. What information did the nurse find in the nursing history? The child: A. Is on a salt-restricted diet. B. Has lactose intolerance. C. Has an allergy to wheat. D. Is allergic to beetroot.

C (The painting materials made from wallpaper paste may contain wheat. If the paint comes in contact with the child's skin, it can cause an allergic reaction. Therefore the nurse changes the activity. The child who is on a salt-restricted diet need not worry about salt being in the paint. A patient is placed on salt restriction to prevent water retention, not because of an allergy. The child who is lactose intolerant cannot ingest dairy products. Beetroot is used as natural dyes in paintings; however, the wallpaper paste does not contain beetroot extract.)

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.)