Deck 44: Reaction to Illness and Hospitalization

Question 1

The nurse is caring for an adolescent who had an external fixator placed after suffering a fracture of the wrist during a bicycle accident. Which statement by the adolescent would be expected about separation anxiety?

A)"I wish my parents could spend the night with me while I am in the hospital."
B)"I think I would like for my siblings to visit me but not my friends."
C)"I hope my friends don't forget about visiting me."
D)"I will be embarrassed if my friends come to the hospital to visit."

Answer 1

"I hope my friends don't forget about visiting me."

Question 2

Natasha,age 8 years,is being admitted to the hospital from the emergency department with an injury from falling off her bicycle. What will help her most in her adjustment to the hospital?

A)Explain hospital schedules such as mealtimes.
B)Use terms such as "honey" and "dear" to show a caring attitude.
C)Explain when parents can visit and why siblings cannot come to see her.
D)Orient her parents,because she is young,to her room and hospital facility.

Answer 2

Explain hospital schedules such as mealtimes.

Question 3

A 10-year-old girl needs to have another intravenous (IV) line started. She keeps telling the nurse,"Wait a minute," and,"I'm not ready." The nurse should recognize that:

A)This is normal behavior for a school-age child.
B)This behavior is usually not seen past the preschool years.
C)The child thinks the nurse is punishing her.
D)The child has successfully manipulated the nurse in the past.

Answer 3

This is normal behavior for a school-age child.

Question 4

Ryan has just been unexpectedly admitted to the intensive care unit after abdominal surgery. The nursing staff has completed the admission process,and Ryan's condition is beginning to stabilize. When speaking with the parents,the nurses should expect which stressors to be evident? Choose all that apply.

A)Unfamiliar environment
B)Usual day-night routine
C)Strange smells
D)Provision of privacy
E)Inadequate knowledge of condition and routine

Question 5

Four-year-old Brian appears to be upset by hospitalization. An appropriate intervention is to:

A)Let him know that it is all right to cry.
B)Give him time to gain control of himself.
C)Show him how other children are cooperating.
D)Tell him what a big boy he is to be so quiet.

Question 6

Matthew,age 18 months,has just been admitted with croup. His parent is tearful and tells the nurse,"This is all my fault. I should have taken him to the doctor sooner so he wouldn't have to be here." What is appropriate in the care plan for this parent who is experiencing guilt?

A)Clarify the misconception about the illness.
B)Explain to the parent that the illness is not serious.
C)Encourage the parent to maintain a sense of control.
D)Assess further why the parent has excessive guilt feelings.

Question 7

The nurse is doing a prehospitalization orientation for Diana,age 7,who is scheduled for cardiac surgery. As part of the preparation,the nurse explains that she will not be able to talk because of an endotracheal tube but that she will be able to talk when it is removed. This explanation is:

A)Unnecessary.
B)The surgeon's responsibility.
C)Too stressful for a young child.
D)An appropriate part of the child's preparation.

Question 8

Kimberly,age 3 years,is being admitted for about 1 week of hospitalization. Her parents tell the nurse that they are going to buy her "a lot of new toys because she will be in the hospital." The nurse's reply should be based on an understanding that:

A)New toys make hospitalization easier.
B)New toys are usually better than older ones for children of this age.
C)At this age children often need the comfort and reassurance of familiar toys from home.
D)Buying new toys for a hospitalized child is a maladaptive way to cope with parental guilt.

Question 9

An appropriate nursing intervention to minimize separation anxiety in a hospitalized toddler is to:

A)Provide for privacy.
B)Encourage parents to room in.
C)Explain procedures and routines.
D)Encourage contact with children the same age.

Question 10

What represents the major stressor of hospitalization for children from middle infancy throughout the preschool years?

A)Separation anxiety
B)Loss of control
C)Fear of bodily injury
D)Fear of pain

Question 11

When a preschool child is hospitalized without adequate preparation,the nurse should recognize that the child may likely see hospitalization as:

A)Punishment.
B)Threat to child's self-image.
C)An opportunity for regression.
D)Loss of companionship with friends.

Question 12

Because of their striving for independence and productivity,which age group of children is particularly vulnerable to events that may lessen their feeling of control and power?

A)Infants
B)Toddlers
C)Preschoolers
D)School-age children

Question 13

Samantha,age 5 years,tells the nurse that she "needs a Band-Aid" where she had an injection. The best nursing action is to:

A)Apply a Band-Aid.
B)Ask her why she wants a Band-Aid.
C)Explain why a Band-Aid is not needed.
D)Show her that the bleeding has already stopped.

Question 14

Amy,age 6 years,needs to be hospitalized again because of a chronic illness. The clinic nurse overhears her school-age siblings tell her,"We are sick of Mom always sitting with you in the hospital and playing with you. It isn't fair that you get everything and we have to stay with the neighbors." The nurse's best assessment of this situation is that:

A)The siblings are immature and probably spoiled.
B)Jealousy and resentment are common reactions to the illness or hospitalization of a sibling.
C)The family has ineffective coping mechanisms to deal with chronic illness.
D)The siblings need to better understand their sister's illness and needs.