A young mother was very proud because she had been taking her 9-month-

A young mother was very proud because she had been taking her 9-month-old with her to various garage sales where she had purchased a lot of toys for very little money. Which of the following would be the most appropriate response by the nurse?

a. “Be sure there are no small pieces as young children can easily choke.”
b. “Fantastic. Saving money on toys will allow you to buy more fresh fruits and vegetables.”
c. “Toddlers love new toys; they will help with cognitive development.”
d. “You are doing an excellent job of giving your child lots of stimulation with new playthings.”

ESSAYBID ANSWER

ANS: A
Infants and young children are at great risk for accidental injuries. The leading cause of injury death for children under the age of 1 year is accidental suffocation due to choking or strangulation. Thus, it is important for the nurse to talk with the young mother about the dangers of toys with small pieces. Safety of the infant should be the primary concern of the nurse in this situation. Saving money on toys will not necessarily allow the young mother to be able to purchase more fruits and vegetables. The infant is nine-months old and would not be considered a toddler yet. It is not apparent in this situation if the toys are age appropriate for the infant or would provide the appropriate amount of stimulation for a child at this developmental level.