During a health history, the nurse explores the sleeping habits of a 3-year-old boy by interviewing his parents. Which statement from the parents reflects a recommended guideline for promoting healthy sleep in this age group?

Choice A reason: The school-age stage applies to families with children primarily aged 6-12 years. While the 8-year-old fits this stage, the family also includes a 2-year-old (preschool) and a 14-year-old (adolescent), spanning multiple developmental stages, making this an incorrect choice for the family’s overall stage.

Choice B reason: The adolescent stage focuses on families with children aged 13-18 years. Although the 14-year-old is an adolescent, the presence of a 2-year-old and an 8-year-old indicates the family spans preschool, school-age, and adolescent stages, making this an incomplete description of the family’s developmental stage.

Choice C reason: The preschool stage involves families with children aged 3-5 years. The 2-year-old is close to this stage, but the 8-year-old (school-age) and 14-year-old (adolescent) place the family across multiple developmental stages, making preschool stage an incorrect choice for the family’s overall development.

Choice D reason: Family development theory recognizes mixed developmental stages when children span multiple age groups. With a 2-year-old (toddler/preschool), 8-year-old (school-age), and 14-year-old (adolescent), the family navigates diverse developmental needs, making this the correct stage to describe their current developmental dynamics.

Choice A reason: Excessive crying for 8 hours daily in an 8-week-old is not typical and may indicate colic or other issues. While some crying is normal, this duration suggests a need for evaluation, as conditions like colic or gastrointestinal discomfort require assessment, making this response incorrect.

Choice B reason: Prolonged, inconsolable crying for 8 hours daily in an 8-week-old is characteristic of colic, defined as crying for more than 3 hours daily, 3 days weekly, for 3 weeks. Consulting a pediatrician ensures proper evaluation for colic or other causes, making this the appropriate nurse response.

Choice C reason: Inadequate feeding may cause crying, but assuming this without assessment is inappropriate. Excessive crying is more likely due to colic or other issues like reflux or allergies. Increasing formula without evaluation risks overfeeding or missing underlying conditions, making this an incorrect response.

Choice D reason: While serious illness is possible, excessive crying in an 8-week-old is more commonly due to colic or benign causes. Immediate emergency room referral without assessing other symptoms (e.g., fever, lethargy) is overly alarming and not the first step, making this response less appropriate than pediatric consultation.