The nurse is caring for a critically ill child. While the nurse is pre

The nurse is caring for a critically ill child. While the nurse is preparing to administer a treatment to the child, the child’s mother becomes distraught and begins to cry loudly while stroking the child’s face.

What is the nurse’s best response to this occurrence?
1. Tell the mother that she needs to control herself for the benefit of her child.
2. Distract the mother by having her straighten the linens on the bed.
3. Explain the procedure that will occur with the treatment.
4. Take the mother out of the room and comfort her.

ANSWER

Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: Although the mother’s expression of anxiety is understandable, the child should be protected from this strongly upsetting situation. Just telling the mother to control herself discounts the seriousness of her anxiety and may serve to alienate the mother from the nurse.
Rationale 2: This mother is too upset to distract by smoothing linens.
Rationale 3: Explaining the procedure may help, but the mother should be removed at least temporarily and be comforted so that she will be able to receive the information.
Rationale 4: In this situation, the nurse must analyze which of the available options would be best for this mother and child. At this level of emotion, the nurse should remove the mother from the room and comfort her.