A 4 1/2-year-old child is crying from pain related to her fractured le

A 4 1/2-year-old child is crying from pain related to her fractured leg. Which of the following is the most appropriate nursing response to her alteration in comfort?

1. “Please try to not move your leg and that will make it feel better.”
2. “I’ll give you a shot of medicine that will help take the pain away.”
3. “It’s okay if you need to cry. Would you like to hold your favorite doll?”
4. “Would you like to tell me now where you want me to give you your shot?”

ANSWER

ANS: 3
Telling the child it’s okay to cry and hold a toy informs the child what they can do, and involves an age-appropriate familiar toy to provide comfort. Telling the child not to move when they are in pain is unlikely to be effective. A preschool child may have difficulty in understanding the re-quest. Telling the child they are going to get a shot may increase their anxiety, as they fear bodily harm. If a child is allowed to determine the site for administration of an injection, specific sites should be offered as choices. However, the nurse needs to avoid allowing procrastination by the child.