The caregiver of a 4-year-old girl who lives in a heavily wooded area calls the clinic nurse to report that the child has a swollen tick on her arm. What would be the best action for the caregiver to follow in removing the tick?

Choice A reason: A complete fracture occurs when bone fragments are fully separated, disrupting the bone’s continuity. This aligns with orthopedic definitions, as separation indicates a break through the entire bone, requiring intervention. The nurse’s explanation matches this, making it the correct term for separated fracture fragments in children, consistent with pediatric trauma care.

Choice B reason: An incomplete fracture involves a partial break, with fragments not fully separated, common in children’s flexible bones. The question specifies separated fragments, which does not fit this definition. This choice is incorrect, as it contradicts the description of a complete separation of bone fragments in the context of fracture classification.

Choice C reason: A spiral fracture is caused by twisting, with a helical break pattern, but separation of fragments is not its defining feature. Complete fractures specifically describe separated fragments, making this incorrect, as spiral refers to shape, not the extent of fragment separation in fractures, per orthopedic terminology.

Choice D reason: A greenstick fracture is an incomplete break where one side bends and the other cracks, typical in children. Separated fragments indicate a complete fracture, not a greenstick, making this incorrect, as greenstick fractures do not involve full separation of bone fragments as described in the nurse’s explanation.

Choice A reason: Having the nurse do everything may disrupt the toddler’s trust in parents, hindering adaptation. Following home routines provides familiarity, making this counterproductive and incorrect compared to maintaining continuity to ease the toddler’s transition from home to the hospital environment.

Choice B reason: Telling a toddler expectations assumes cognitive understanding beyond their developmental stage, potentially increasing anxiety. Home routines offer comfort, making this less effective and incorrect compared to the nurse’s focus on familiarity to support the toddler’s hospital adaptation process.

Choice C reason: Following home routines maintains familiarity, reducing stress and aiding a toddler’s adaptation to the hospital. This aligns with pediatric psychosocial care principles, making it the most beneficial action for the nurse to implement to ease the toddler’s transition from home to hospital.

Choice D reason: Allowing a toddler to dictate actions disregards necessary medical routines, potentially compromising care and safety. Home routines provide structure, making this impractical and incorrect compared to the nurse’s role in maintaining familiarity to support the toddler’s hospital adaptation.