Which intervention would be part of the discharge plan for a child with osteomyelitis?

A. The preschool stage (ages 3–6 years) corresponds to Erikson’s stage of Initiative vs. Guilt, where children take initiative in play, imagination, and planning activities. Pretend play, such as planning a tea party, is a hallmark of this developmental stage. It demonstrates creativity, initiative, and the ability to direct their own activities, which shows age-appropriate psychosocial development.

B. Imitation is more characteristic of the toddler stage (Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt). While preschoolers may still imitate, it is not the primary defining behavior of their Eriksonian stage.

C. Taking apart a toy to understand how it works reflects curiosity and problem-solving more typical of the school-age child (Industry vs. Inferiority), who is focused on mastery and understanding how things function.

D. Building a model requires higher-level fine motor skills, sustained attention, and structured task completion, abilities more aligned with the school-age period rather than preschool development.

A. While important for psychosocial support, this is not the immediate priority. Hair loss occurs later with chemotherapy and does not pose an immediate threat to life.

B. This would be a priority if the child presented with respiratory distress, such as dyspnea, stridor, or cyanosis. In a newly diagnosed child without respiratory symptoms, it is less urgent than addressing infection risk.

C. This is the priority nursing diagnosis. Children with leukemia have a suppressed immune system due to both the disease and chemotherapy. Infection can progress rapidly and become life-threatening (sepsis). Nursing interventions focus on strict hand hygiene, limiting exposure to infectious agents, monitoring for signs of infection (fever, tachycardia, hypotension), and educating caregivers. Early prevention and prompt intervention are essential to reduce morbidity and mortality.

D. This is not relevant for a newly diagnosed child, as radiation therapy is typically initiated later. Skin integrity issues are secondary concerns compared with immediate infection risk.