Question 1

A 4-year-old begins to cry when his mother tells him it is time for his operation.The nurse understands this is an expected reaction because the preschooler is particularly fearful of:

Accepted Answer

The preschool-age child is afraid of bodily harm,particularly invasive procedures.

Question 2

A 2-year-old child has been crying constantly for his mother since he was hospitalized 3 days ago.The nurse understands that this behavior suggests:

Accepted Answer

Unless toddlers are extremely ill,their grief and sense of abandonment during hospitalization are obvious.

Question 3

A nurse encourages a school-age child to draw a picture after a painful procedure.The best rationale for this intervention is that the nurse is:

Accepted Answer

Following treatments,the nurse should encourage children to draw and talk about their drawings or to act out their feelings through puppet play.

Question 4

When a 2-year-old returns to her hospital room following a diagnostic procedure,her parents are not available,and the child is crying loudly.The technique that is most appropriate to alleviate the child's distress is to:

Accepted Answer

Distractions such as blowing bubbles,looking through a kaleidoscope,and playing with pop-up toys may help reduce anxiety and pain.

Question 5

The nurse notices that the mother of a child with cerebral palsy corrects and redoes many of the things the nurse does for her child.The most appropriate response to this mother would be:

Accepted Answer

The person who cares daily for the child with a chronic illness can provide information that will best guarantee continuity of care between the home and the hospital.

Question 6

A 13-year-old girl has been hospitalized for the past week.When discussing the girl's feelings about her illness,the nurse would expect the girl to express the most concern about:

Accepted Answer

Illness during early adolescence (12 to 15 years)is seen mainly as a threat to body image.

Question 7

The statement that best corresponds to a preschooler's understanding of hospitalization is:

Accepted Answer

The preschooler may feel guilty,particularly if an accident happens as a result of mischief on his or her part.

Question 8

Which child would have the most difficulty in coping with separation from parents because of hospitalization?

Accepted Answer

Separation anxiety occurs after age 6 months and is most pronounced in the toddler.

Question 9

An 8-year-old child will be hospitalized for several weeks in skeletal traction to treat a fractured femur.In planning care for the child,the nurse realizes immobilization in this age-group can generate feelings of:

Accepted Answer

Forced dependency in the hospital,such as immobilization,can result in a feeling of loss of control and loss of security.

Question 10

A hospitalized toddler was drinking from a cup at home but now refuses to drink from anything except his favorite bottle.This toddler is:

Accepted Answer

Hospitalization is frustrating for toddlers.They show their displeasure when illness restricts satisfaction of their desires.It is not unusual for a toddler who was drinking from a cup to refuse it in the hospital.

Question 11

The nurse explains to the parents of a hospitalized child that the use of fentanyl has the advantages of:

Accepted Answer

Fentanyl is a drug useful for all ages because of its rapid onset and brief duration.

Question 12

The nurse suggests that the best time for parents to begin to prepare a 5-year-old for surgery and hospitalization is:

Accepted Answer

Parents should prepare children for procedures and hospitalization a few days in advance.

Question 13

The nurse must make a room assignment for a 16-year-old with cystic fibrosis.An optimal roommate might be:

Accepted Answer

Adolescents usually do better in rooms with one or more roommates than in single rooms.The adolescent would do best with a roommate who is closest to his or her age and also lives with a chronic illness.

Question 14

The nurse,preparing to collect an admission history from parents who have recently emigrated from Russia,would keep in mind that:

Accepted Answer

In Russia,a smile indicates happiness and is inappropriate in a serious or sad situation.

Question 15

The nurse determines a parent understands a hospitalized toddler's need for transitional objects when the parent states:

Accepted Answer

The use of a transitional object such as a blanket or a favorite toy promotes security.

Question 16

The mother of a hospitalized toddler states,"He cries when I visit.Maybe I should just stay away." The nurse's best response would be:

Accepted Answer

During the second stage of separation anxiety (despair),the child is quiet,is not crying,and is sad and depressed.The child will revert to protest when the parent arrives for a visit.

Question 17

The mother of a 3-year-old tells the nurse that she will be in to visit tomorrow around 12:00 PM.The next morning,the child asks the nurse,"When is my mommy coming?" The best response for the nurse to make is:

Accepted Answer

The toddler and preschooler do not understand time yet.They understand time relationships through activities in their experience,such as naptime and mealtimes.

Question 18

The parents of a hospitalized 9-month-old infant ask if their preschool child may visit his younger sibling.The nurse understands that:

Accepted Answer

Siblings are affected by a child's hospitalization.Their ability to cope is influenced by their age,experience,and intactness of the family.

Question 19

The parents of a hospitalized toddler are upset because she seems more interested in her toys when they come to visit her.The toddler is most likely in which stage of separation anxiety?

Accepted Answer

In the stage of denial or detachment,the child appears to deny the need for the parents and becomes uninterested in their visits.

Question 20

The nursing action that would facilitate rapport with a child and the child's parents during the admission process is to:

Accepted Answer

The nurse tries not to appear rushed.A matter-of-fact attitude must be maintained regardless of the child's condition.

Quiz 21: The Child’s Experience of Hospitalization