A 6-year-old child becomes upset after learning that a blood sample is needed.The child's mother scolds the child and tells him to "act your age." How should the nurse proceed?
A) Request that the mother leave the room immediately.
B) Request the help of a coworker to hold the child down.
C) Inform the child that "this won't hurt a bit."
D) Calmly approach the child and tell him what is going to happen.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The best course of action is to calmly approach the child and tell him what is going to happen. This will help the child feel more comfortable and informed about the procedure, which may help alleviate some of the anxiety and fear they are experiencing. Requesting that the mother leave the room or getting a coworker to hold the child down could make the situation worse and cause the child to become more distressed. Telling the child that "this won't hurt a bit" may not be true and could lead to a loss of trust in the nurse, while calmly explaining the procedure can help build trust and make the experience less traumatic.

A 6-Year-Old Child Becomes Upset After Learning That a Blood