A 9-Year-Old Has Returned to the Pediatric Unit from the Recovery

Multiple Choice

A 9-year-old has returned to the pediatric unit from the recovery room after having his appendix removed. He has an intravenous solution running into a vein and a dressing covering the operative site. His parents went home briefly. When he becomes upset and starts crying, the nurse should:

A) help the child recall the events of the previous day, explaining that his mother will be back later in the morning.
B) recognize his need for family by calling his mother on the telephone and telling her to come back and stay with her son.
C) appeal to his gender identity by telling him he is a big boy, and big boys don't cry.
D) be aware that the child cannot reliably tell the nurse about pain at this age and call the physician for an order for a pain medication or sedative.