The nurse is caring for a hospitalized 6-month-old client. Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement to provide developmentally appropriate care for this client? Select all that apply.

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Around 6 months of age, infants begin to experience separation anxiety. This anxiety may be heightened during hospitalization because of exposure to many unfamiliar stressors. Appropriate nursing care can play a significant role in reducing the infant's physiologic and psychologic stress. Key interventions include: Adhering to the infant's home routine (eg, meal and sleep times) as closely as possible (Option A) Providing a favorite toy or pacifier (Option B) Encouraging caregivers to remain whenever possible during hospitalization Providing a quiet sleep environment with reduced stimulation to promote restful sleep (Option D) Offering a familiar object (eg, caregiver's shirt, blanket, voice recording) during stressful situations (Option E) (Option C) The presence of parents or the primary caregiver during hospitalization reduces separation anxiety and decreases the infant's stress response. Therefore, caregivers should remain whenever possible throughout all the client's care (eg, procedures, medication administration, scans). Educational objective: To reduce separation anxiety in infants during hospitalization, the nurse should adhere to the infant's home routine, provide a favorite toy or pacifier, provide a quiet sleep environment, encourage the presence of the primary caregivers, and expose the infant to familiar objects during stressful situations.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Hospitalized 6-Month-Old Client