A nurse is having difficulty communicating with a hospitalized 5-year-old child. Which of the following techniques is appropriate for the nurse to use to improve communication?

Have the child keep a diary of his or her feelings.

Read a fairy tale about scary adventures to the child.

Ask the mother to interpret the child’s feelings.

Interact with the child through nurse and patient puppets.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

Preschoolers communicate best through play, storytelling, and symbolic expression, not through direct verbal explanation. Puppetry is a developmentally appropriate technique that allows the child to express feelings and fears indirectly and safely.

Rationale for correct answer:

4. Using puppets enables non-threatening, imaginative communication, which is ideal for 5-year-olds. It helps the child express thoughts and emotions while feeling safe and engaged. The puppets can also model procedures or hospital routines, promoting understanding and emotional processing.

Rationale for incorrect answers:

1. Keeping a diary is not appropriate for a 5-year-old, who is likely still learning basic writing skills. At this age, children express themselves better through non-written forms such as drawing, play, and verbal storytelling.

2. Reading a fairy tale about scary adventures could intensify anxiety, especially in a hospitalized child. Preschoolers may interpret fiction as reality and internalize frightening stories, worsening their fears.

3. While parental insight is helpful, relying solely on the mother to interpret the child’s emotions does not build communication between the nurse and child. Direct interaction with the child, using developmentally appropriate methods, is crucial for trust and rapport.

Take home points

Play-based communication, such as puppetry, is highly effective for preschoolers.
Avoid techniques that are too advanced such as diaries or emotionally confusing such as scary stories.
Nurses should aim to connect with the child directly, using imaginative and familiar tools.
Understanding a child’s cognitive and emotional stage enhances therapeutic communication and reduces anxiety in the healthcare setting.

Nursing Test Bank

Test Bank #1: RN Pharmacology Exams Test Bank #2: RN Medical-Surgical Exams Test Bank #3: RN Fundamentals Exams Test Bank #4: RN Maternal-Newborn Exams Test Bank #5: RN Anatomy and Physiology Exams Test Bank #6: RN Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Test Bank #7: RN Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Test Bank #9: RN Adult Health Test Bank #10: RN Dosage Calculation Test Bank #11: RN Community Health Exams Test Bank #12: RN Psychology Exams Test Bank #13: RN Nursing Care Of Children Test Bank #14: RN Foundations of Nursing Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Exam #1: RN Comprehensive predictor 2023 proctored exam Exam #2: Ati rn vati comprehensive predictor proctored exam Exam #3: Ati Rn Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam 2023 Exam #4: Rn Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Proctored Exam - St. Joseph Exam #5: RN Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam (National U CA San Diego) Exam #6: Ati rn comprehensive predictor 2023 retake proctored exam Exam #7: RN Hesi Exit Proctored Exam Exam #8: Hesi RN Exit proctored exam Exam #9: Hesi rn exit proctored exam Exam #10: Hesi Rn compass exit B proctored exam

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is ["A","B","E"]

Explanation

Preschoolers (ages 3–5) are in Piaget’s preoperational stage, where they exhibit egocentrism, magical thinking, and limited logical reasoning. Understanding these concepts helps nurses and caregivers approach communication and education effectively.

Rationale for correct answers:

1. Egocentric thought is a hallmark of preschoolers. They often assume others see, think, and feel exactly as they do. This is a normal part of early cognitive development and limits their ability to adopt other perspectives.

2. Play as a tool is powerful in this age group. Through imaginative play and role-playing, preschoolers express feelings and demonstrate what they comprehend about the world around them. Nurses often use therapeutic play to reduce anxiety or assess a child's perception of illness or hospitalization.

5. Magical thinking is common in preschoolers. They may believe their thoughts or wishes cause real events. This can lead to feelings of guilt if something bad happens, as they might believe they caused it. Nurses must provide reassurance and clarification.

Rationale for incorrect answers:

3. Explanations with detail may be overwhelming. Preschoolers benefit from simple, concrete explanations. Using too much detail or abstract reasoning may increase confusion and stress rather than reduce it.

4. Understanding inferences and empathy is limited in this stage. While preschoolers may show basic concern if someone is sad, they do not yet fully grasp abstract feelings or make emotional inferences as older children or adults can. Their empathy is emerging but not mature.

Take home points

Preschoolers are egocentric and view the world from their own perspective.
Magical thinking can lead to misunderstandings about illness, death, or punishment.
Play is not just recreational, it’s a window into their cognitive and emotional world.
Explanations should be concrete, visual, and brief, avoiding abstract reasoning.

A. Most preschoolers weigh between 10 and 14 kilograms. B. The legs of a preschooler, rather than the trunk, increase in length, which may make him look slimmer. C. Preschoolers usually keep that pot-bellied appearance until about 4 years old. D. Most preschoolers gain 2 to 3 pounds per year.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Growth is the increase in body size, including height, weight, and head circumference. It reflects changes in the skeletal system, muscle mass, and organ development. Growth is influenced by factors such as genetics, nutrition, health status, environmental and emotional well-being.

Rationale for correct answer:

2. Between ages 3 to 5, body fat decreases, the legs lengthen, and the preschooler loses the toddler’s characteristic pot-bellied look. This can cause concern for caregivers who are used to a rounder appearance. The child may look thinner, but this is normal and expected with proportional growth.

Rationale for incorrect answers:

1. While the average weight of a preschooler may fall within this range, giving a numerical estimate doesn’t directly address the parent’s concern or explain the reason for the perceived slimness. It may also seem dismissive.

3. The pot-bellied appearance typically starts to fade by age 3, not extend until age 4. Preschoolers begin developing a straighter posture and tighter abdominal muscles earlier than this answer implies.

4. Although it’s true that preschoolers gain about 2 to 3 pounds per year, stating this doesn’t address the visual change in body shape that concerns the parent.

Take home points

Preschool growth involves changes in body proportions; longer legs, straighter posture, and reduced abdominal prominence.
It’s normal for preschoolers to appear leaner as they grow, which may seem concerning to parents accustomed to toddler roundness.
Nurses should provide reassurance by explaining expected developmental changes in simple, supportive terms.
Education should focus on how children grow, not just how much, to support caregiver understanding and reduce unnecessary worry.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

A nurse is having difficulty communicating with a hospitalized 5-year-old child. Which of the following techniques is appropriate for the nurse to use to improve communication?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse caring for a preschool child understands which of the following developmental concepts? Select all that apply

Correct Answer is ["A","B","E"]

Explanation

When her preschool son is in the hospital, the parent tells the nurse, “I think there is something wrong with him because he is so skinny.” The most appropriate answer by the nurse is:

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A 4-year-old child, who is hospitalized with pneumonia, tells the nurse, “I got sick because I was bad. I yelled at my little sister yesterday.” The nurse determines that which of the following is an accurate explanation for the child’s comment? The child is:

A mother tells the nurse that it is difficult to get her 4-year-old child to bed at night. Which of the following should the nurse suggest that the mother do?

Which result should a nurse expect if a 4-year-old child’s visual acuity test is normal for the child’s developmental age?

The nurse is giving a 5-year-old child a vaccine injection. The child cries loudly during the procedure. Which of the following interventions would be appropriate for the nurse to perform after the injection?

A nurse is having difficulty communicating with a hospitalized 5-year-old child. Which of the following techniques is appropriate for the nurse to use to improve communication?

At the clinic appointment, a 4-year-old’s mother wants to discuss several concerns. Which statements require more teaching by the nurse? Select all that apply