A nurse cares for an 8-month-old infant who screams when the parent leaves the room. The parent begins to cry and says, "I don't understand why my child is so upset. I've never seen my child act this way around others before." Which of the following statements should the nurse make?
"This is a typical reaction for a child who is sick."
"This is a response to an overstimulating environment."
"This is a normal, expected reaction for a child of this age."
"This is a common reaction to an overexposure to caregivers."
The Correct Answer is C
A. "This is a typical reaction for a child who is sick.” While illness may heighten distress, the behavior described—crying when the parent leaves—is more related to developmental stage than to acute illness, and should not be solely attributed to sickness.
B. "This is a response to an overstimulating environment." Overstimulation can cause fussiness or irritability, but separation anxiety, not overstimulation, best explains the infant’s reaction to the parent leaving.
C. "This is a normal, expected reaction for a child of this age." Separation anxiety typically emerges around 6–8 months of age as infants begin to understand object permanence. The child’s distress upon separation is a developmentally appropriate behavior.
D. "This is a common reaction to an overexposure to caregivers." Overexposure does not lead to distress when a caregiver leaves. Rather, strong attachment bonds cause infants to become upset when their primary caregiver is not present.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Puberty might be delayed if scrotal changes have not occurred by the age of 11 years:
Scrotal changes, such as thinning, reddening, and enlargement, are among the first signs of puberty in boys. If these changes have not started by age 11, it may indicate delayed puberty, warranting further assessment.
B. Changes in the voice signal the beginning of puberty: Voice changes usually occur later in puberty, after the onset of testicular and scrotal development. They are a secondary sexual characteristic, not an initial sign.
C. Growth spurts in height occur toward the end of midpuberty: Growth spurts typically happen during early to midpuberty, not toward the end. Height velocity peaks around Tanner stages 3 to 4, before puberty concludes.
D. Gynecomastia commonly occurs during late puberty: Gynecomastia tends to occur during early to midpuberty due to hormonal fluctuations and usually resolves spontaneously. It is less common to develop or persist into late puberty.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. "The fever is causing an increase in your baby's heart rate." Fever increases metabolic demand, which commonly leads to tachycardia in infants as the body attempts to regulate temperature and support circulation. This explanation directly addresses the physiological cause and is appropriate.
B. "This is within the expected range for your baby." A heart rate of 190/min in a 2-month-old is elevated, especially in the presence of a fever. While infants have higher baseline heart rates (120-160 b/min), this value is elevated and requires clinical interpretation, not reassurance.
C. "Your baby's heart is beating fast in an attempt to cool down his body.": While increased cardiac output may help distribute heat, the primary cause of tachycardia is metabolic demand from fever—not a direct mechanism to cool the body.
D. "As your baby begins to fall asleep, his heart rate will decrease." Although heart rate may decrease with sleep, this does not address the father's concern about the elevated rate now, and it downplays the need to monitor the infant in the context of high fever
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