Deck 21: The Child’s Experience of Hospitalization

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:

A) loss of control.
B) restricted mobility.
C) unfamiliar routines.
D) invasive procedures.

Answer 1

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:

A) the toddler feels abandoned by his mother.
B) the child still has not adjusted to his hospitalization.
C) the child is not separated from his mother often.
D) there is a poor mother-child bond.

Answer 2

the toddler feels abandoned by his mother.

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:

A) attempting to re-establish rapport.
B) providing a way for the child to express his feelings.
C) encouraging quiet play.
D) distracting the child from thinking about the pain.

Answer 3

providing a way for the child to express his feelings.

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:

A) rock the child gently to sleep.
B) play with the child using pop-up toys.
C) role play with the child to act out her feelings.
D) ask the child to draw a picture about her feelings.

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:

A) "Would you like to do all of your child's care?"
B) "I'm doing the very best job that I can with your child. "
C) "Why don't you go have a cup of coffee? You are going to be exhausted if you don't take a break. "
D) "I'd love for you to share with me some of the special things you do for your child. "

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:

A) invasive procedures.
B) loss of control.
C) appearance.
D) separation from her boyfriend.

Question 7

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

A) "A germ made me get sick. "
B) "I got sick because I was mad at my brother. "
C) "My tonsils are sick and they have to come out. "
D) "I have a cast because I broke my leg. "

Question 8

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

A) 3-month-old child
B) 16-month-old child
C) 4-year-old child
D) 7-year-old child

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:

A) loss of control.
B) altered body image.
C) shame and guilt.
D) fear of bodily harm.

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:

A) dealing with the anxiety of hospitalization by regressing.
B) demonstrating attention-seeking behaviors because of an overabundance of attention in the hospital.
C) attempting to refocus the attention of the adults around him to avoid further painful procedures.
D) exhibiting normal behavior for his age, as children often stop new behaviors after they believe they have mastered them.

Question 11

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

A) being specifically designed for children.
B) having a rapid onset.
C) being nonaddicting.
D) having a long 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:

A) as soon as the surgery is scheduled.
B) about 2 weeks before surgery.
C) about 4 days before surgery.
D) on the night before admission to the hospital.

Question 13

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

A) a 4-year-old child who had an appendectomy.
B) a 10-year-old child with sickle cell disease in vaso-occlusive crisis.
C) a 15-year-old with type 1 diabetes mellitus.
D) to assign the adolescent to a private room.

Question 14

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

A) eye-to-eye contact is considered disrespectful.
B) touching the child's head means the nurse is superior.
C) smiling is inappropriate in a serious situation.
D) staring is a sign of the nurse's rudeness.

Question 15

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

A) "This stuffed animal makes him feel secure. "
B) "He insisted on bringing this dirty old blanket with him. "
C) "I'm going to buy him a big stuffed animal from the gift shop. "
D) "I'd like to get him some toys from the playroom. "

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:

A) "Perhaps you are right. He only gets upset when you have to leave. "
B) "It is important that you are here. This is a common reaction in children when they are separated from their parents. "
C) "It might be easier for your child if you would stay with him, but this decision is up to you. "
D) "We take good care of him and he seems fine when you are not here. "

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:

A) "Your mommy will be here around noon. "
B) "Your mommy will be here when you have lunch. "
C) "Mommy will be here very soon. "
D) "Your mommy is coming in 4 hours. "

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:

A) preschool children can be disruptive in the hospital environment.
B) seeing his younger sibling would probably frighten the preschooler and thus should be avoided.
C) the sibling could view the infant from the doorway but not enter the room to prevent the spread of microorganisms.
D) the preschooler needs to visit his infant sister to reassure himself that she is all right.

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?

A) Protest
B) Despair
C) Denial
D) Attachment

Question 20

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

A) direct the parents to undress the child.
B) answer questions in a calm and matter-of-fact way.
C) perform assessments and ask questions as quickly as possible.
D) express concern about the seriousness of the child's condition.

Question 21

In documenting the discharge of a pediatric patient,what should the nurse include? Select all that apply.

A) Time of discharge
B) Adult(s) accompanying the child and the relationship to the child
C) Condition of the child
D) Method of transportation
E) Instructions that were given to parents
F) None of the above

Question 22

The nurse suggests to parents that they use the outpatient surgical center for their child's upcoming surgery because the surgical center has what advantage(s)? Select all that apply.

A) Lower cost
B) Less incidence of health care associated infections
C) Reduction of parent-child separation
D) Ample time for recuperation at the facility
E) Decreased emotional impact of illness

Question 23

The nurse understands that no matter the reason for the young child being hospitalized,there are basic fears.What are they? Select all that apply.

A) Separation
B) Permanent scarring
C) Pain
D) Cost
E) Body intrusion

Question 24

The nurse taking a developmental history will include what information? Select all that apply.

A) Previous experience with hospitalization
B) Cultural needs
C) History of illness
D) Allergies
E) Child's nickname

Question 25

The anxious parent asks if there is a danger of her 2-year-old child becoming addicted to the opioid pain reliever.The nurse's most helpful response would be:

A) "Although this drug is addictive the doctor monitors the dose very carefully. "
B) "Don't worry. Addicted children are very easy to wean off the drug. "
C) "Addiction is rare in children when opiates are given for pain. "
D) "Addictive behaviors are easy to assess. The drug will be stopped if that happens. "

Question 26

A(n)_______________ ______________ is a person under the age of 18 who can legally sign for consent for medical treatment for themselves or their children.

Question 27

When the preschooler who is hospitalized for surgery to correct a poorly healed fracture says,"My doctor is going to unscrew my bent arm and screw on a new one," the nurse should ________________ this misconception.

Question 28

The nurse shares the information and timelines recorded on the interdisciplinary outline of care for a child.This document is the:

A) clinical pathway.
B) comprehensive nursing care plan.
C) holistic care approach.
D) incorporated cost analysis.