The charge nurse on a medical unit is preparing to admit several clients who have possible pandemic flu during a preparedness drill.
What action by the nurse is best?

Choice A rationale

While queries regarding etiology eventually arise, the immediate emotional response of parents to the sudden and unexpected death of an infant from SIDS is often profound shock and a strong sense of personal culpability. The search for a "reason why" typically follows the initial surge of intense emotional distress and self-blame.

Choice B rationale

Acceptance is a much later stage in the grief process and is rarely the initial reaction to a traumatic loss like SIDS. The suddenness and unexplained nature of SIDS often lead to prolonged denial, disbelief, and a struggle to comprehend the event before any form of acceptance can begin to manifest.

Choice C rationale

Feelings of blame or guilt are almost universally the initial and most intense reactions experienced by parents following an infant's death from SIDS. The unexplained nature of the death often leads parents to scrutinize their actions, believing they somehow failed to protect their child, even when no identifiable cause is found.

Choice D rationale

Requests for an infant's belongings may occur at various points during the grieving process, representing a desire to hold onto memories or tangible connections. However, this is not typically the very first reaction, which is dominated by overwhelming emotional shock, grief, and often profound self-blame and guilt.

Choice A rationale

Maintaining strict bed rest for a toddler with pneumonia may lead to adverse effects such as muscle deconditioning and delayed motor skill development. Prolonged immobility can also increase the risk of atelectasis and venous stasis due to reduced pulmonary expansion and impaired circulation. Promoting some level of activity, as tolerated, is crucial for maintaining physiological and psychological well-being.

Choice B rationale

Considering the age of the toddler is critical because their developmental stage dictates their understanding, cooperation, and physical needs. Toddlers have a limited attention span and a strong need for mobility and exploration. Age-appropriate interventions ensure compliance and minimize distress while supporting their recovery from pneumonia.

Choice C rationale

Assessing the developmental level is essential as it provides insight into the toddler's cognitive abilities, gross and fine motor skills, and social-emotional needs. This assessment helps in tailoring interventions, such as play activities, to be both engaging and therapeutic, preventing developmental regression during the period of illness and bed rest.

Choice D rationale

Implementing light play activities promotes psychological well-being and prevents developmental stagnation during bed rest. Play can improve lung expansion by encouraging deeper breaths, which aids in preventing atelectasis. It also provides a form of gentle exercise, maintaining muscle tone and reducing boredom while the toddler recovers from pneumonia.

Choice E rationale

Providing hypnotic medication as ordered is generally not indicated for a toddler with pneumonia unless severe agitation or sleep disturbances significantly impede recovery. Sedation can depress respiratory drive, potentially worsening respiratory compromise in a child with pneumonia by reducing effective coughing and clearance of secretions.