A hospice nurse is reinforcing teaching to a parent about how age affects how their child experiences a terminal illness. Which of the following statements should the nurse include?
"Adolescents may feel responsible for the illness."
"Adolescents may feel frustrated for being dependent on others."
"Children 3 to 5 years old are too young to understand the difference between life and death."
"Children around 5 or 6 years old may try to be brave and shield loved ones from distress."
The Correct Answer is B
A. "Adolescents may feel responsible for the illness." While younger children may engage in magical thinking and believe they caused their illness, adolescents typically have a more developed understanding of disease processes and are less likely to blame themselves.
B. "Adolescents may feel frustrated for being dependent on others." Adolescents value independence and autonomy, so a terminal illness that forces them to rely on caregivers can lead to frustration, anger, and emotional distress. This struggle with dependency is a common psychosocial challenge in adolescent patients.
C. "Children 3 to 5 years old are too young to understand the difference between life and death." Preschool-aged children may not fully grasp the permanence of death, but they do have some awareness of it. They often see death as temporary or reversible, influenced by their limited cognitive development and exposure to media or stories.
D. "Children around 5 or 6 years old may try to be brave and shield loved ones from distress." While school-aged children may begin to understand the finality of death, the tendency to "be brave" and protect loved ones is more common in older children and adolescents, who have a stronger sense of emotional responsibility.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","C","E"]
Explanation
A. Delayed motor development. Children with muscular dystrophy often experience delayed milestones, such as difficulty walking, running, or climbing stairs. This is due to progressive muscle weakness, which affects motor skill acquisition.
B. Lung defects. While respiratory muscle weakness can occur in later stages of muscular dystrophy, congenital lung defects are not a primary characteristic of the condition. Respiratory complications typically arise due to muscle deterioration rather than structural lung defects.
C. Scoliosis. Progressive muscle weakness leads to postural instability, increasing the risk of scoliosis (abnormal spinal curvature). This is particularly common in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) as the muscles supporting the spine weaken.
D. Insomnia. Sleep disturbances are not a primary symptom of muscular dystrophy. However, respiratory complications or discomfort in later stages may contribute to sleep issues, but insomnia is not a defining feature.
E. Muscle weakness. Progressive muscle weakness is the hallmark of muscular dystrophy. It typically starts in the proximal muscles (hips, thighs, shoulders) and worsens over time, leading to mobility challenges and loss of independence.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. “I will give you the names and contact information of a few good counselors. Talking to a professional is very helpful." While counseling can be beneficial, immediately directing the parent to therapy may feel dismissive of their immediate distress. A more supportive and solution-focused approach, such as discussing respite care, directly addresses the caregiver's burden.
B. “Taking care of anyone with complex medical needs can be very overwhelming. What has your healthcare team told you about respite care?” This response validates the parent's feelings while offering a practical solution. Respite care can provide temporary relief for caregivers, allowing them time to rest and recover, which can reduce burnout.
C. "You seem to be under a lot of stress. Have you tried reading self-help books on coping with stress?" While self-help books may provide general coping strategies, this suggestion does not acknowledge the immediate emotional burden the parent is experiencing or offer direct assistance.
D. "Has something changed with your child's health condition? You can usually handle taking care of them. I will schedule a follow-up appointment with their provider to see what is going on.” Assuming the parent can "usually handle" caregiving may invalidate their struggle. Additionally, suggesting a medical follow-up for the child rather than addressing the caregiver’s needs misses the core issue of caregiver stress.
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