The daughter of a divorced couple is hospitalized for injuries received in an automobile accident. The custodial father is at work when the mother arrives extremely agitated and demanding to see her daughter immediately. Which action will be most appropriate for the nurse to take at this time?

Choice A reason: Scoliosis screening is typically prioritized in older children (10-14 years), as curvature often appears during puberty. Vision and hearing screenings are critical for 6-8-year-olds to support learning, making this less urgent and incorrect for the prioritized screening in this elementary school age group.

Choice B reason: Vision and hearing screenings are critical for 6-8-year-olds, as deficits can impair academic performance and development. Early detection ensures timely intervention, aligning with pediatric school health guidelines, making this the prioritized screening for elementary students to support their educational and health needs.

Choice C reason: Assessing nutritional needs is important but less standardized as a routine screening compared to vision and hearing, which directly impact learning. These screenings take precedence, making this less critical and incorrect for the nurse’s priority in routine health checks for 6-8-year-olds.

Choice D reason: Reviewing immunization records ensures compliance but is administrative, not a health screening like vision and hearing, which detect active issues. These screenings are more urgent, making this incorrect compared to prioritizing assessments that directly affect the health of 6-8-year-old students.

Choice A reason: Consistent rules help toddlers understand expectations, fostering predictable behavior and security. This aligns with pediatric developmental discipline strategies, making it a correct point to teach parents, as it supports effective toddler behavior management and reduces confusion during disciplinary interactions.

Choice B reason: Scolding with labels like “naughty” shames toddlers, hindering self-esteem and learning. Consistency and boundaries teach effectively without negativity, making this incorrect, as it promotes ineffective discipline that may emotionally harm toddlers rather than guide their behavior constructively in the class.

Choice C reason: Toddlers begin learning self-control around 2, not 3-4 years, through guidance and boundaries. Consistency supports this, making this incorrect, as it underestimates toddlers’ capacity for early self-regulation when provided with appropriate disciplinary structures in a parenting education setting.

Choice D reason: Immediate addressing of behavior is ideal but not always necessary; delayed correction can still teach toddlers. Consistency and boundaries are more foundational, making this partially correct but incorrect for prioritization compared to the broader principles of discipline taught in the class.

Choice E reason: Boundaries provide toddlers with structure, promoting safety and behavioral learning even at a young age. This aligns with pediatric discipline principles, making it a correct point to emphasize, as it helps parents establish a framework for effective toddler behavior management in daily interactions.