A nurse is caring for a 3-year-old child whose parents report that she has an intense fear painful procedures, such as injections. Which of the following strategies should the nurse add to the child's plan of care? (Select all that apply.)

Preschoolers, typically between the ages of 3 and 5 years, engage in imaginative and pretend play. They often create scenarios, role-play, and use their imagination to create fictional situations and characters. This type of play is important for their cognitive, social, and emotional development.

Building a section of cards and controlling impulsive feelings are not specific developmental tasks typically associated with preschoolers. While building with blocks or other construction toys can enhance fine motor skills and problem-solving abilities, building a section of cards is not a common developmental milestone. Controlling impulsive feelings is an ongoing process that develops over time and requires guidance and support from parents and caregivers, but it is not solely expected of preschoolers.

A.Toddlers experience slowed growth compared to infancy, leading to a natural decrease in appetite (physiologic anorexia). Instead of increasing caloric intake, parents should be encouraged to offer nutrient-dense foods in small, frequent meals and avoid pressuring the child to eat.

B.Tantrums are common in toddlers as they begin to assert independence but struggle with emotional regulation. Parents should use strategies such as remaining calm, setting clear limits, offering choices when appropriate, and using positive reinforcement to help manage tantrums effectively.

C.Establishing trust is a key developmental task of infancy (Erikson’s trust vs. mistrust stage). In toddlerhood (autonomy vs. shame and doubt stage), the focus is on developing independence, so guidance should focus on setting boundaries, providing choices, and allowing safe exploration rather than trust-building alone.

D.Cooperative play is typically aimed at older preschoolers and not toddlers, who are still developing social skills and tend to engage in parallel play rather than cooperative play.

E.Early dental hygiene is crucial for preventing cavities and establishing good oral health habits. Parents should begin brushing their toddler's teeth with a soft toothbrush and a small amount of fluoride toothpaste and schedule the first dental visit by 12 months of age or within 6 months of the first tooth eruption.