A 7-year-old child recently experienced the death of the family's pet dog. The dog was the child's constant companion. What does the nurse understand the child is at risk for developing as a result of the pet's death?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

4. Separation anxiety disorder involves a developmentally inappropriate and excessive anxiety over separation from home or from attachment figures and may appear after a stressful life event, such as the death of a pet. This child's dog may be viewed as an attachment figure, thus placing this child at risk for a separation anxiety disorder. Agoraphobia, the fear of being in public places, is not related to this situation. Risk factors for conduct disorder are related to difficulties with parent-child interactions. Children with elimination problems may have psychosocial risk factors. However, the child who experiences a significant family loss is at increased risk for separation anxiety disorder.

A 7-Year-Old Child Recently Experienced the Death of the Family's