Question

What behavior does the nurse expect when caring for a preschool-age child admitted to the hospital? Select all that apply.

1-Develops trust in adults
2-Cries quietly for the parents
3-Tolerates brief periods of separation
4-Refuses to comply with the usual routines
5-Attempts to physically keep the parents near

Answer 1

Preschool-aged children in a hospital setting may develop trust in adults, show separation anxiety, tolerate brief separations, resist changes in routine, and attempt to keep parents physically close.

Step-by-step explanation:

When caring for a preschool-age child admitted to the hospital, nurses can expect several behaviors due to the child's cognitive and emotional development. Children in this age group (3-5 years old) are gradually building trust in adults and may show signs of anxiety or clingy behavior when separated from familiar caregivers. During hospitalization, a child might exhibit a few distinct behaviors, including:

• Developing trust in adults who show consistent, sensitive care and responsiveness.
• Crying or showing distress due to separation anxiety, which might not always be quiet and can often be quite vocal.
• Possibly tolerating brief periods of separation as long as the child feels secure and trustful of the environment.
• Resisting and refusing to comply with usual routines due to the discomfort of being in an unfamiliar setting and lack of routine.
• Attempting to physically keep the parents near due to fear of the unknown and desire for the security their presence brings.