An 8-year-old child is admitted to the hospital for surgery. She has had no previous hospitalizations, and both she and her family appear anxious and fearful. It will be most helpful for the nurse to:

Question

Options

• ATake the child to her room and calmly and matter-offactly begin to get her ready to go to the
• BTake time to orient the child and her family to the hospital and the forthcoming events
• CExplain that as soon as the child goes to the operating room she will have time to answer any
• DTell the child and her family that there is nothing to worry about, that the operation will not take

• A
  6% (2)
• B
  88% (29)
• C
  3% (1)
• D
  3% (1)

Explanation

(A) This action does nothing to prepare the child and her family for what will happen or to relieve their anxiety and fear. (B) This action provides security by preparing the child and the family for what will happen and will help to relieve fear and anxiety. (C) This action does nothing to help prepare the child for what will happen and does not give the parents permission to ask questions until later. (D) This action provides possibly false reassurance and may prevent the child and/or the family from asking pressing questions.

No community discussion yet for this question.