A nurse is caring for a 4-year-old child who refuses to take his medication because of the bad taste.
Which of the following strategies should the nurse use to elicit the child's cooperation?

Choice A rationale

Watermelon with seeds poses a choking hazard for young children, making it an unsafe food choice. The seeds can easily get stuck in a child’s throat, leading to potential airway obstruction. Additionally, small children might not have the coordination to properly spit out seeds, increasing the risk of accidental swallowing and subsequent choking. Therefore, whole fruits with seeds are generally recommended to be avoided for toddlers.

Choice B rationale

Raw carrots are another choking hazard for young children due to their hard texture. Toddlers might not have developed the necessary chewing skills to safely eat raw vegetables, increasing the risk of choking. Small, hard foods like raw carrots can be difficult to chew and swallow, making them unsafe for children under the age of three. Cooked or finely chopped vegetables are safer alternatives.

Choice C rationale

Mashed potatoes are a safe and appropriate food choice for a 14-month-old child. They are soft, easy to chew, and swallow, reducing the risk of choking. Mashed potatoes can be easily modified to suit the nutritional needs and texture preferences of young children. They can also be fortified with other healthy ingredients like pureed vegetables or proteins to make a balanced meal for toddlers.

Choice D rationale

Popcorn is a known choking hazard for young children and is not recommended for those under the age of four. Popcorn kernels are small, hard, and irregularly shaped, making them difficult for young children to chew and swallow safely. The risk of choking on popcorn is high due to its propensity to lodge in the airway, causing potentially serious complications. .

Choice A rationale

It's normal for an 8-month-old child to exhibit separation anxiety when their parents leave. This stage of development typically begins around 6 to 8 months of age and can peak around 14 to 18 months. It is a sign that the child has developed a strong attachment to their parents and understands the concept of object permanence—that objects and people continue to exist even when they are not visible.

Choice B rationale

While rest is important for an infant, this statement does not address the underlying issue of separation anxiety. It implies that the child's crying is due to fatigue, which can be misleading to the parents.

Choice C rationale

An overstimulating environment can cause distress in infants, but in this case, the crying is more directly related to separation anxiety. It's essential to differentiate between the two causes so that parents can respond appropriately.

Choice D rationale

Notifying a provider is unnecessary for typical separation anxiety. This response could unnecessarily alarm the parents and does not educate them on the normalcy of this developmental phase.