The nurse, in working with children of this age, plans to allow a 5-ye

The nurse, in working with children of this age, plans to allow a 5-year-old boy who was admit-ted to the surgical center to have his tonsils removed to:

1. Perform his own preoperative hygienic care
2. Have alone time to relax before the procedure
3. Handle the equipment when taking his blood pressure
4. Have access to age-appropriate magazines and puzzles for diversion

ANSWER

ANS: 3
Preschool children may cooperate if they are allowed to manipulate the equipment. A preschooler is unable to take responsibility for his or her own preoperative hygienic care.
Leaving the preschooler alone may increase the child’s anxiety. Magazines and puzzles would be more appropriate activities for the older child. The preschool child likes to engage in pretend play, using their imagination and imitating adult behavior.