When the nurse interviews an adolescent, which is especially important?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: In the context of nursing care for adolescents, it is crucial for the nurse to allow the adolescent an opportunity to express their feelings. Adolescence is a period of significant emotional and psychological development, and providing a safe space for them to express their feelings promotes trust and therapeutic communication. This can help the nurse gain valuable insights into the adolescent's emotional well-being, concerns, and needs, ultimately guiding the provision of appropriate care and support. Option A, focusing the discussion on the peer group, is not as important as allowing the adolescent to express their feelings. While peer interactions are significant during adolescence, addressing the adolescent's individual emotions and concerns takes precedence in a healthcare setting. Option C, using the same type of language as the adolescent, is important for effective communication, but it is not as critical as providing the opportunity for emotional expression. Option D, emphasizing confidentiality, is essential but may not be the most critical aspect when initially establishing a therapeutic relationship with the adolescent. While confidentiality is crucial, building trust through empathy and active listening, as highlighted in option B, lays the foundation for effective communication and support in nursing care.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The most appropriate nursing action in this scenario is to choose option C, which is to explain in simple terms how the blood pressure apparatus works to the 8-year-old girl. This option is the best choice because it promotes open communication, provides education in a developmentally appropriate way, and empowers the child by addressing her curiosity and need for information. Explaining in simple terms how the blood pressure apparatus works helps the child understand the procedure and reduces anxiety by demystifying the medical equipment. It fosters trust between the nurse and the child, which is crucial in pediatric nursing care. By addressing the child's question directly, the nurse acknowledges her autonomy and respects her right to information about her own healthcare. Option A, asking the girl why she wants to know, and option B, determining why she is anxious, are not the best choices in this situation. These options do not directly address the child's query or provide her with the information she is seeking about the blood pressure apparatus. Option D, telling her she will see how it works as it is used, dismisses her curiosity and misses an opportunity for patient education and engagement. In pediatric nursing care, it is essential to engage with children in a developmentally appropriate and informative manner to build trust, reduce anxiety, and promote their understanding of their healthcare experiences. By choosing option C, the nurse can support the child's curiosity, provide education, and enhance the overall quality of care provided.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: In this scenario, the most appropriate technique to help the nurse communicate with the hospitalized 6-year-old child is to provide supplies for the child to draw a picture (Option B). Drawing allows children to express themselves when they may find it challenging to communicate verbally. It can help the child convey emotions, thoughts, and experiences that they may not be able to articulate. Drawing can also serve as a therapeutic outlet, providing a non-verbal way for the child to cope with the stress of hospitalization. Option A, recommending that the child keep a diary, may not be as effective as drawing for a young child who may not have developed strong writing skills or the ability to express themselves through writing. Option C, suggesting that the parent read fairy tales to the child, does not directly address the child's communication barriers and may not actively engage the child in self-expression. Option D, asking the parent if the child is always uncommunicative, does not provide a proactive approach to facilitating communication with the child and may not yield immediate results in improving the nurse-child interaction. In an educational context, understanding age-appropriate communication techniques is crucial for nurses caring for pediatric patients. By recognizing and utilizing strategies such as drawing, nurses can establish effective communication channels with children, fostering trust, understanding, and cooperation in a healthcare setting.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: In the context of nursing care of children, gathering a comprehensive health history is crucial in order to provide holistic care. The correct answer, A) Review of systems, is essential because it allows the nurse to assess the child's overall health status, identify any underlying issues, and understand the child's past medical history, current symptoms, and any potential risk factors. This information helps in formulating an appropriate care plan and identifying any potential problems that may affect the child's health. Option B) Physical assessment is also important in pediatric nursing care, but it focuses more on the current physical condition of the child rather than past medical history or potential risk factors. While growth measurements (C) and vital signs (D) are important components of a pediatric assessment, they are more focused on the current physical status of the child rather than obtaining a comprehensive health history. Educationally, understanding the significance of conducting a thorough health history in pediatric nursing is crucial for students to develop critical thinking skills, clinical reasoning abilities, and the ability to provide safe and effective care to pediatric patients. By emphasizing the importance of gathering a detailed health history, students can learn to approach patient care in a systematic and comprehensive manner, ensuring that all aspects of the child's health are considered in their care plan.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: In the context of nursing care of children, determining the chief complaint when taking a health history of an adolescent is crucial for providing effective care. Option B, "Ask the adolescent, 'Why did you come here today?'" is the correct choice because it directly involves the adolescent in expressing their reason for seeking healthcare, empowering them to be active participants in their own care. This approach promotes patient-centered care and encourages open communication between the nurse and the adolescent. Option A, requesting a detailed listing of symptoms, may be overwhelming for the adolescent and may not capture the primary reason for their visit. It is important to remember that adolescents may not always be able to articulate their symptoms clearly, making it essential to approach them in a supportive and non-threatening manner. Option C, interviewing the parent away from the adolescent, is not ideal as it bypasses the adolescent's perspective and may lead to missing important information or concerns that the adolescent themselves may have. Option D, using what the adolescent says to determine the problem in medical terminology, may not be appropriate as it can create a barrier to effective communication and understanding between the nurse and the adolescent, potentially leading to misinterpretation of the chief complaint. In an educational context, it is important to teach nursing students the significance of involving adolescents in their care, respecting their autonomy, and promoting open communication to ensure holistic and patient-centered care delivery. Building trust and rapport with adolescent patients is essential in providing quality care in the nursing practice.