A hospitalized 5-year-old thinks the IV pole is a tall skinny monster that is going to tie him up. This is an example of
critical thinking.
animism.
concrete reasoning.
egocentrism.
The Correct Answer is B
A. Critical thinking is incorrect because it requires logical evaluation, analysis, and objective reasoning—skills not yet developed in a 5-year-old. The child’s interpretation is based on imagination, not logic.
B. This is a hallmark of Piaget’s preoperational stage (ages 2–7 years), during which children attribute human-like qualities, feelings, or intentions to inanimate objects. A 5-year-old believing the IV pole is a “monster” that wants to “tie him up” demonstrates animistic thinking because the child assigns life, motive, and threat to an object that is not alive. This is developmentally normal and reflects the child’s active imagination, limited ability to distinguish fantasy from reality, and symbolic thinking typical of this age. Hospitalization and unfamiliar equipment can intensify these imaginative fears, making animism more pronounced.
C. Concrete reasoning is incorrect because it belongs to the concrete operational stage (ages 7–11 years), when children begin to think logically about real, tangible objects. A child at this stage would understand the IV pole as a medical device, not as a monster. The child's interpretation is prelogical and imaginative, not concrete.
D. Egocentrism is incorrect because it refers to a child’s inability to see another person’s perspective, another feature of the preoperational stage. While a 5-year-old may still be egocentric, the behavior described—giving life-like qualities to an object—is specifically animism, not difficulty understanding viewpoints.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Insulin is rarely given intravenously except in acute hospital settings (e.g., DKA management) under strict monitoring. IV administration by a child at home is unsafe and inappropriate due to the risk of hypoglycemia, infection, and vascular complications. The chest is also not a recommended site for injections.
B. Subcutaneous injections are the preferred route for regular insulin administration at home. Insulin is absorbed more slowly from subcutaneous tissue, providing a steady onset of action and reducing the risk of rapid hypoglycemia. The outer thigh, abdomen, upper arms, and buttocks are common subcutaneous injection sites, with the outer thigh often recommended for self-injection in children due to accessibility and ease of rotation to prevent lipodystrophy.
C. Intramuscular injections are not recommended for routine insulin administration because absorption is faster and less predictable, increasing the risk of hypoglycemia. The abdomen is not a typical intramuscular injection site; IM insulin injections are generally avoided except in specific clinical settings under supervision.
D. Intradermal injections deliver medication into the dermis, not subcutaneous tissue. This route is used for allergy testing or tuberculosis screening, not for insulin administration, as it does not allow for proper absorption and therapeutic effect.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Eye opening is a core component of the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and is assessed to determine the level of consciousness. Scores range from 1 (no eye opening) to 4 (spontaneous eye opening).
B. Sensory response is not directly assessed in the Glasgow Coma Scale. While neurological exams may include sensory testing (e.g., pain, touch, temperature), the GCS specifically evaluates eye opening, verbal response, and motor response.
C. Verbal response is a main component of the GCS, assessing the patient’s ability to speak coherently and appropriately. Scores range from 1 (no verbal response) to 5 (oriented conversation).
D. Motor response is a key part of the GCS, evaluating purposeful or reflexive movements. Scores range from 1 (no motor response) to 6 (obeys commands).
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