Chapter 11: Nursing Considerations for the Hospitalized Child Flashcards
A hospitalized toddler is exhibiting regressive behavior, such as bedwetting, during their stay. What is the most appropriate nursing intervention?
A. Ignore the behavior and focus on the medical care.
B. Reprimand the child to discourage regressive behaviors.
C. Provide reassurance to the child and the family that this behavior is temporary.
D. Offer incentives to promote mature behavior.
C. Provide reassurance to the child and the family that this behavior is temporary.
Rationale: Regression during hospitalization is a common response in toddlers due to stress and unfamiliar environments. Providing reassurance helps normalize the behavior and supports the family.
What is the primary purpose of performing medical procedures in a treatment room for young children?
A. To provide a sterile environment for procedures.
B. To maintain the child’s hospital room as a “safe” space.
C. To allow parents to observe the procedure.
D. To ensure that the child associates pain with their own room.
B. To maintain the child’s hospital room as a “safe” space.
Rationale: Performing procedures in a treatment room helps maintain the child’s hospital room as a secure, pain-free area, reducing stress .
Which strategy should the nurse implement to help a hospitalized school-age child cope with isolation?
A. Arrange video games and movie nights with other children.
B. Limit phone contact to maintain the child’s rest.
C. Encourage parents to stay continuously at the bedside.
D. Offer opportunities for therapeutic play only.
A. Arrange video games and movie nights with other children.
Rationale: School-age children value peer relationships. Activities like movie nights or video games with peers can help reduce feelings of isolation.
What is the nurse’s priority action when assessing a family’s readiness for a hospitalized child’s discharge?
A. Assign roles for family members in the child’s care.
B. Ensure the family can measure vital signs.
C. Assess the family’s understanding of the child’s diagnosis.
D. Discuss potential financial challenges.
C. Assess the family’s understanding of the child’s diagnosis.
Rationale: Understanding the child’s diagnosis is critical for safe and effective home care. This serves as the foundation for assigning roles and discussing care requirements.
Which intervention is most appropriate when preparing an adolescent for surgery?
A. Using medical play equipment to explain the procedure.
B. Providing developmentally appropriate explanations.
C. Allowing parents to explain the procedure in their own way.
D. Avoiding discussions about the procedure to reduce anxiety.
B. Providing developmentally appropriate explanations.
Rationale: Adolescents need explanations that respect their cognitive and emotional maturity to reduce anxiety and increase cooperation.
A nurse is preparing a care plan for a family with a hospitalized child. Which considerations should be included in family-centered care? (Select all that apply)
A. Encourage parental involvement in care.
B. Provide flexibility for rooming-in arrangements.
C. Address the family’s emotional needs.
D. Limit siblings’ visitation to reduce stress.
E. Assess the financial impact of hospitalization on the family.
A. Encourage parental involvement in care.
B. Provide flexibility for rooming-in arrangements.
C. Address the family’s emotional needs.
E. Assess the financial impact of hospitalization on the family.
Rationale: Family-centered care emphasizes the family’s role in the child’s recovery, including involvement, emotional support, and addressing logistical and financial needs.
Which interventions can help a hospitalized child maintain their educational needs during a lengthy stay? (Select all that apply)
A. Arranging for a hospital tutor or teacher.
B. Limiting school-related discussions to prioritize medical recovery.
C. Collaborating with the child’s school.
D. Encouraging peers to visit and provide homework.
E. Including school-related activities in the care plan.
A. Arranging for a hospital tutor or teacher.
C. Collaborating with the child’s school.
E. Including school-related activities in the care plan
Rationale: Prolonged hospitalization requires educational planning. Hospital tutors, school collaboration, and incorporating schoolwork into care ensure continuity.
A nurse is caring for a preschooler who is hospitalized. What is the most appropriate intervention to reduce the child’s anxiety?
A. Explain procedures in detailed medical terms.
B. Avoid discussing the hospital stay to minimize stress.
C. Allow the child to watch medical procedures.
D. Provide a comforting object, like a favorite toy or blanket.
D. Provide a comforting object, like a favorite toy or blanket.
Rationale: Comfort objects can help preschoolers feel secure in unfamiliar environments, reducing anxiety.
During a family assessment, the nurse notices that the parents are overwhelmed by the financial demands of their child’s hospitalization. What should the nurse do first?
A. Refer the family to social services.
B. Provide emotional support and reassurance.
C. Discuss financial planning options with the family.
D. Recommend speaking with the hospital billing department.
A. Refer the family to social services.
Rationale: Referring the family to social services ensures they receive appropriate financial assistance and resources to cope with the situation.
Which nursing action is essential when preparing a child for discharge?
A. Encourage parents to independently manage care before discharge.
B. Provide detailed instructions and ensure follow-through.
C. Recommend follow-up visits but avoid overwhelming the family.
D. Focus solely on the child’s recovery and minimize parental involvement.
B. Provide detailed instructions and ensure follow-through.
Rationale: Providing clear instructions and ensuring follow-through helps families feel confident in managing the child’s care at home.
What is the best intervention for an adolescent who feels isolated during a prolonged hospitalization?
A. Limit access to electronic devices to encourage rest.
B. Involve the adolescent in group activities with younger children.
C. Arrange phone or video contact with friends and peers.
D. Provide books and puzzles to keep the adolescent occupied.
C. Arrange phone or video contact with friends and peers.
Rationale: Peer relationships are critical for adolescents, and maintaining connections helps reduce feelings of isolation.
When assessing the needs of a child undergoing an unexpected hospitalization, which factor should the nurse prioritize?
A. The child’s understanding of the illness.
B. The child’s emotional response to hospitalization.
C. The family’s knowledge of the hospital environment.
D. The severity of the illness or injury.
B. The child’s emotional response to hospitalization.
Rationale: Emotional responses, such as fear or anxiety, should be prioritized to address the immediate psychosocial needs of the child.
A nurse is preparing a hospitalized child for surgery. Which actions help reduce anxiety for the child and their family? (Select all that apply)
A. Explain the procedure using age-appropriate language.
B. Familiarize the child with medical equipment.
C. Allow the child to observe another surgery.
D. Involve the parents in preoperative preparation.
E. Encourage the child to ask questions.
A. Explain the procedure using age-appropriate language.
B. Familiarize the child with medical equipment.
D. Involve the parents in preoperative preparation.
E. Encourage the child to ask questions.
Rationale: Preparation using appropriate language, familiarization with equipment, parental involvement, and encouraging questions help reduce anxiety and improve cooperation.
Which intervention best supports a hospitalized school-age child’s developmental needs?
A. Encouraging visits from peers.
B. Limiting play activities to focus on recovery.
C. Avoiding discussions about school.
D. Emphasizing individual activities like puzzles or reading.
A. Encouraging visits from peers.
Rationale: School-age children value peer relationships, and peer visits help maintain normalcy during hospitalization.
Which approach is best for educating the parents of a child who requires long-term medical care?
A. Provide detailed written instructions without verbal explanations.
B. Teach the parents all required care skills during a single session.
C. Offer hands-on practice sessions and assess their competency.
D. Leave the education to the physician to ensure accuracy.
C. Offer hands-on practice sessions and assess their competency.
Rationale: Hands-on practice sessions with assessment of parental competency ensure that they feel confident managing the child’s care at home.
