A mother brings her male preschooler to the clinic because he has had diarrhea, vomiting, and high fevers for the past three days.

The child begins to cry and cling to his mother when the nurse enters the examination room.

Which action should the nurse implement to get the child to cooperate?

Choice A rationale

Checking serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels is the appropriate action. hCG levels can help determine the viability of the pregnancy. Decreasing hCG levels may indicate a non-viable pregnancy, while increasing levels suggest a viable pregnancy.

Choice B rationale

Verifying the date of the last menstrual cycle is important but not the priority action in this scenario. While it can provide information on gestational age, it does not directly address the concern of vaginal bleeding.

Choice C rationale

Inquiring about the last occurrence of intercourse is not directly related to assessing the cause of vaginal bleeding. It may provide additional history but does not address the immediate concern.

Choice D rationale

Repeating a urine pregnancy test is not necessary in this context. The client is already known to be pregnant, and a urine test will not provide additional information regarding the cause of the bleeding.

Choice A rationale

Telling the child that you're glad the mother explained the procedure doesn't provide the child with an opportunity to express their understanding or concerns. It is important to engage the child directly to understand what they know and how they feel about the operation, rather than relying solely on what the parent has communicated.

Choice B rationale

Asking the child to explain what an operation is allows the nurse to gauge the child's understanding and provides an opportunity to correct any misconceptions. This approach also encourages open communication and helps the child feel more involved and informed about their own care, which can reduce anxiety.

Choice C rationale

Reassuring the child that the hospital staff will take very good care of them is comforting, but it doesn't address the child's need for information and understanding about the operation. While it's important to provide reassurance, the primary focus should be on ensuring the child comprehends what will happen.

Choice D rationale

Directly asking the child if they are scared might lead to a yes or no answer, and doesn't necessarily encourage them to share their specific fears or concerns. It is more effective to ask open-ended questions that allow the child to express their feelings in more detail, which can then be addressed by the nurse.