The nurse is caring for a 2-year-old child on a pediatric unit. The ch

QUESTION

The nurse is caring for a 2-year-old child on a pediatric unit. The child’s parents have just left the unit for the night. The child is standing at the edge of the crib and crying.

Which of the following interventions is most appropriate for the nurse to use?

a. Limit the use of kinesthetic approaches when caring for the child.
b. Talk to the child about Mommy and Daddy and how much the child cares for them.
c. Maintain a flat affect when interacting with the child.
d. At first maintain a distance of 8 feet from the child.

ANSWER:

ANS: B
Handling separation anxiety when the primary caregiver is absent includes establishing rapport with the caregiver (parent) and encouraging them to be with the child and reassuring the child that staff will be there if they are away. At first the nurse should keep at least 2 feet between herself and the infant. The nurse should talk to and touch the infant and initially smile often. The nurse should provide for kinesthetic approaches; offer self while infant is protesting (e.g., stay with the child; pick the child up and rock or walk; talk to the child about Mommy and Daddy and how much the child cares for them).