A father is concerned about how long his preschool-age child will continue sucking his thumb.
What is the most helpful response from the nurse?

Choice A rationale:
Suggesting that toddlers should be able to stay dry for 2 hours before beginning bladder training is too early. Most toddlers do not develop full bladder control until around the age of 3. Starting training too early may lead to frustration for both the child and the parents. It's essential to be patient and wait until the child is developmentally ready, which is typically around the age of 3.
Choice B rationale:
Suggesting that toddlers should be able to stay dry for 3 hours before beginning bladder training is a reasonable and developmentally appropriate guideline. Around the age of 3, many children start to gain better control over their bladder and can stay dry for longer periods. This is a good indication that they may be ready for bladder training. However, it's essential to remember that every child is different, and readiness may vary from one child to another.
Choice C rationale:
Suggesting that toddlers should be able to stay dry for 4 hours before beginning bladder training may be overly restrictive and not necessary. While some children may achieve this level of bladder control, it is not a standard benchmark for readiness. Waiting for 4 hours may delay the start of bladder training unnecessarily for some children.
Choice D rationale:
Suggesting that toddlers should be able to stay dry for 5 hours before beginning bladder training is too long and not a practical guideline. Waiting for such an extended period before initiating training is not developmentally appropriate, and it may lead to difficulties and accidents. It's important to strike a balance between waiting for readiness and not delaying training for an extended period, as suggested in choice B.

Choice A rationale:

"Thumb-sucking is detrimental to the eruption of the child's teeth and must be stopped as soon as possible.”. This response is not the most helpful because it can create unnecessary anxiety for the father and the child. While prolonged thumb-sucking can affect dental development, it's not an urgent concern in most cases.

Choice B rationale:

"Most children will stop thumb-sucking naturally by school age.”. This is the most helpful response. It reassures the father that thumb-sucking is a common behavior among preschool-age children and that many children naturally outgrow it as they enter school age. It encourages patience and avoids unnecessary intervention.

Choice C rationale:

"Over-the-counter treatments that give a bad taste can be placed on the thumb to discourage the practice.”. This option suggests using a topical solution to discourage thumb-sucking. While it's a valid approach, it may not be necessary for most children, and a more conservative approach (choice B) is often preferable.

Choice D rationale:

"Consistently touching the child's fingers whenever he sucks his thumb is most effective.”. This response may not be as effective or practical as choice B, which advises patience. Constantly touching the child's fingers may disrupt their comfort without necessarily leading to a cessation of thumb-sucking.