A nurse is caring for a 2-year-old toddler who is postoperative and nonverbal due to sedation. The child is grimacing and pulling at their IV site. Which pain assessment tool is MOST appropriate?
Wong-Baker Faces Scale
Numeric Rating Scale
FLACC
Visual Analog Scale
The Correct Answer is C
A. This scale uses a series of faces ranging from a happy face (no pain) to a crying face (worst pain) and requires the child to identify which face best represents their pain level. It is suitable for children approximately 3 years and older who are verbal and cognitively able to associate facial expressions with their own pain. A sedated, nonverbal 2-year-old cannot reliably communicate using this method, making it inappropriate.
B. This scale asks the patient to rate their pain on a scale of 0 to 10. It requires verbal communication, abstract thinking, and the ability to quantify pain, which toddlers, especially a sedated 2-year-old, are unable to do. Therefore, this scale is not suitable in this context.
C. FLACC (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability) is specifically designed for infants and young children (typically 2 months to 7 years) who are nonverbal or unable to self-report pain. It relies on observable behaviors, making it the most appropriate tool for a sedated postoperative toddler.
D. This scale asks the patient to mark a point on a line that represents their pain intensity from “no pain” to “worst pain.” It requires cognitive understanding, fine motor skills, and self-reporting, making it inappropriate for a sedated toddler who cannot comprehend or mark the scale.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","D","E"]
Explanation
A. Infants, especially those under 6 months, may present with apnea and cyanosis during coughing paroxysms instead of the classic “whoop,” as their respiratory muscles are immature. This is a common severe manifestation in young infants.
B. Inspiratory stridor and a barking cough are characteristic of croup, not pertussis. Croup is usually viral in origin and presents with hoarseness and upper airway obstruction, which differs from pertussis.
C. Wheezing with exertional dyspnea is more typical of asthma or bronchiolitis, not pertussis. While pertussis can cause hypoxia, wheezing is not a defining feature.
D. The paroxysmal stage of pertussis is characterized by repetitive coughing spells followed by a high-pitched inspiratory “whoop”. This is classic for older infants and children, though it may be absent in young infants.
E. In the catarrhal stage, pertussis often begins as a mild, dry cough resembling a common cold, which gradually progresses to severe paroxysms. Nighttime exacerbation is common.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Infant motor development follows a proximal-to-distal pattern, meaning control develops from the center of the body outward. At 7 months, infants first gain control of shoulders and arms, allowing them to reach with the whole hand. Later, fine motor skills like the pincer grasp (using thumb and forefinger) develop around 9–12 months, enabling the child to pick up small objects. This progression is typical and expected.
B. At 7 months, infants are still developing bilateral coordination. It is normal for a baby to favor one hand or alternate hands inconsistently. Expecting equal use of both hands at this stage reflects a misunderstanding of normal motor development.
C. Fine motor skills, such as using the thumb and forefinger to grasp small objects, emerge later. Reaching with the whole hand at 7 months is part of normal development. Labeling it as delayed is incorrect and may cause unnecessary concern.
D. The infant is following the typical developmental sequence, progressing from gross motor to fine motor control. Reaching with one hand before using the pincer grasp does not indicate skipped milestones. Developmental milestones are achieved in a predictable order, and this behavior is within normal limits.
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