MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. A nurse is caring for four patients; three are toddlers and one is a preschooler. Which represents the major stressor of hospitalization for these four patients?

a.Separation anxiety

b.Loss of control

c.Fear of bodily injury

d.Fear of pain

2. During the first 4 days of hospitalization, Eric, age 18 months, cried inconsolably when his parents left him, and he refused the staff’s attention. Now the nurse observes that Eric appears to be “settled in” and unconcerned about seeing his parents. The nurse should interpret this as which statement?

a.He has successfully adjusted to the hospital environment.

b.He has transferred his trust to the nursing staff.

c.He may be experiencing detachment, which is the third stage of separation anxiety.

d.Because he is “at home” in the hospital now, seeing his mother frequently will only start the cycle again.

3. When a preschool child is hospitalized without adequate preparation, the nurse should recognize that the child may likely see hospitalization as:

a.punishment.

b.threat to child’s self-image.

c.an opportunity for regression.

d.loss of companionship with friends.

4. Which age group should the pediatric nurse recognize as being vulnerable to events that lessen their feeling of control and power?

a.Infants

b.Toddlers

c.Preschoolers

d.School-age children

5. A 10-year-old girl needs to have another intravenous (IV) line started. She keeps telling the nurse, “Wait a minute” and “I’m not ready.” The nurse should recognize this as which description?

a.This is normal behavior for a school-age child.

b.The behavior is not seen past the preschool years.

c.The child thinks the nurse is punishing her.

d.The child has successfully manipulated the nurse in the past.

6. The most common initial reaction of parents to illness or injury and hospitalization in their child is:

a.anger.

b.fear.

c.depression.

d.disbelief.

7. Amy, age 6 years, needs to be hospitalized again because of a chronic illness. The clinic nurse overhears her school-age siblings tell her, “We are sick of Mom always sitting with you in the hospital and playing with you. It isn’t fair that you get everything and we have to stay with the neighbors.” Which is the nurse’s best assessment of this situation?

a.The siblings are immature and probably spoiled.

b.Jealousy and resentment are common reactions to the illness or hospitalization of a sibling.

c.Family has ineffective coping mechanisms to deal with chronic illness.

d.The siblings need to better understand their sister’s illness and needs.

8. An appropriate nursing intervention to minimize separation anxiety in a hospitalized toddler would be to:

a.provide for privacy.

b.encourage parents to room in.

c.explain procedures and routines.

d.encourage contact with children the same age.

9. Four-year-old Brian appears to be upset by hospitalization. Which is an appropriate intervention?

a.Let him know it is all right to cry.

b.Give him time to gain control of himself.

c.Show him how other children are cooperating.

d.Tell him what a big boy he is to be so quiet.

10. Latasha, age 8 years, is being admitted to the hospital from the emergency department with an injury from falling off her bicycle. Which will help her most in her adjustment to the hospital?

a.Explain hospital schedules to her, such as mealtimes.

b.Use terms such as “honey” and “dear” to show a caring attitude.

c.Explain when parents can visit and why siblings cannot come to see her.

d.Orient her parents, because she is young, to her room and hospital facility.