A patient arrives at the hospital with a stained, ragged baby blanket.
When his mother tries to remove the blanket to take it home for washing, he hides under the bed and clings to the blanket.
What is the best course of action for the nurse?

Choice A rationale

Working on catching a bounced ball is an age-appropriate activity for a 7-year-old child. This activity helps develop motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

Choice B rationale

Purchasing a jumping rope is an age-appropriate activity for a 7-year-old child. Jumping rope helps improve physical fitness, coordination, and timing.

Choice C rationale

Encouraging a 7-year-old child to ride his tricycle indicates a need for further teaching. At this age, most children have the balance and coordination necessary to ride a two-wheeler bike.

Continuing to ride a tricycle may limit the development of these skills.

Choice D rationale

Running is a great activity for a 7-year-old child. It helps improve cardiovascular fitness and physical strength. Playing chase adds an element of fun and can also help develop social skills.

Choice A rationale

Distracting the patient and then taking the blanket for washing might seem like a practical solution, but it can lead to trust issues. The patient may feel betrayed or tricked, which can negatively affect the therapeutic relationship between the nurse and the patient.

Choice B rationale

Acknowledging that the blanket seems to be his favorite and allowing him to keep it with him is the best course of action. The blanket likely provides comfort and security to the patient.

Taking it away, even temporarily, can cause distress. The nurse should respect the patient’s attachment to the blanket and look for alternative solutions for maintaining hygiene, such as offering to clean the blanket when the patient is ready to part with it temporarily.

Choice C rationale

Telling the patient that you want to take the blanket home to wash and that you will bring it back might not be reassuring enough for the patient. The patient may worry about the blanket getting lost or not returned, which can cause unnecessary anxiety.

Choice D rationale

Suggesting getting him another blanket so that he will not mind giving up the current one might not work. The patient’s attachment is likely to the specific blanket, not to blankets in general. A new blanket will not have the same familiarity and comforting effect as the old one.