The parents of a 2-year-old client ask how they can help their child cope with hospitalization. Which of the following suggestions should the nurse give the parents? Select all that apply.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Hospitalization for toddlers (ie, 12-36 months) is particularly difficult due to separation anxiety and a limited ability to cope with stress. Toddlers thrive on home rituals and routines, which bring stability and reassurance. Hospitalization can severely disrupt these routines, triggering frustration and temper tantrums. Caregivers should maintain as many home routines as possible (eg, sleeping, eating) to help the child cope with unfamiliar hospital surroundings and procedures (Option A). Parents should also stay with the child as much as possible, including overnight (ie, rooming-in), to provide consistency and alleviate separation anxiety (Option C). Play, an important part of a child's emotional and social well-being, is an effective coping mechanism for children of all ages to deal with the stress of being away from home. The playroom is a safe place for children to act out their fears and anxieties related to illness and hospitalization (Option D). (Option B) A visit from friends is not likely to provide much comfort to a toddler and may actually cause additional stress. Adolescents, who are driven by peer interaction, would be more likely to benefit from this strategy. (Option E) Preschool-aged children (3-5 years) have egocentric and magical thinking, which may cause them to think that their illness is due to something they have done or thought. Toddlers do not think this way. Educational objective: Coping mechanisms used by hospitalized toddlers include following homes rituals and routines, having parents stay with the child (including overnight), and using the playroom for relief of anxiety and fear.

The Parents of a 2-Year-Old Client Ask How They Can