The mother of a 2-year-old child is frustrated because the child does

The mother of a 2-year-old child is frustrated because the child does not want to go to bed at the scheduled bedtime. The nurse should suggest that the parent:

1. Offer the child a bedtime snack
2. Eliminate one of the naps during the day
3. Allow the child to sleep longer in the mornings
4. Maintain consistency in the same bedtime ritual

ANSWER

ANS: 4
The nurse should advise the parent to maintain a regular bedtime and wake-up schedule and to reinforce patterns of preparing for bedtime. A bedtime routine (e.g., same hour for bedtime, quiet activity) used consistently helps young children avoid delaying sleep. It is most important that the parent maintains a consistent bedtime routine. If a bedtime snack is already part of that rou-tine, then this is allowable. If it is not, then the child may only use having a snack as a measure of procrastination. After 3 years of age the child may give up daytime naps. A bedtime routine used consistently will be more effective in helping the child who resists going to sleep. The same regu-lar bedtime and wake-up schedule should be maintained.