CHAPTER 1: PERSPECTIVES ON
MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CARE
A nurse is working in an ambulatory health care clinic in a poor neighborhood. The
majority of families are living in poverty. Which nursing intervention would most
likely provide the greatest benefit for the children seen at this clinic?
A. Cautioning them about home safety issues
B. Providing drug samples for prescribed therapy
C. Promoting healthy sleep and rest habits
D. Educating the parents about preventative care - answer-b. Providing drug
samples for prescribed therapy
(Rationale: People who live in poverty and many who live on very low incomes do
not have enough money to afford medications needed for therapy. Providing them
with drug samples is a common intervention. Preventative care, home safety, and
proper sleep and rest are not as important as ensuring that the child gets the
medicine needed.)
An older couple approaches the nurse's station. They identify themselves as the
grandparents of the young girl in room 2210 and are seeking information about
their hospitalized grandchild. Which response by the nurse would be most
appropriate?
A. Assume "busy-looking" behaviors and move away.
B. Answer the grandparents' questions in a less public place.
C. Ask to see identification from the two individuals.
D. Tell the couple to seek information directly from the child's parents. - answer-d.
Tell the couple to seek information directly from the child's parents.
(Rationale: To protect the child's privacy, information can be shared only with legal
guardians, parents, or those identified in writing. Giving the grandparents
information without permission of the legal guardians is inappropriate and violates
the child's privacy. Asking to see identification is of no purpose. "Looking busy" only
temporarily avoids confronting the privacy rights.)
Consent for urgent treatment is needed for a minor. However, his parents are
several hours away at a business meeting. Which actions would reflect informed
consent?
A. Explaining the needed treatment to the minor and documenting this action
B. Contacting the institution's attorney to provide and document consent
C. Obtaining telephone consent with two witnesses listening simultaneously
D. Treating the minor and obtaining written permission later when the parents
arrive - answer-c. Obtaining telephone consent with two witnesses listening
simultaneously
(Rationale: Telephone consent documented with two witness signatures is
appropriate. Explaining the needed treatment to the minor, contacting the
institution's attorney, or treating the minor and getting written permission later
when the parents arrive would be inappropriate.)
, During a parenting class, the nurse gives examples of extinction as a form of
discipline. Which of the following would be an example of this technique?
A. Praising desired behavior
B. Ignoring a temper tantrum
C. Using verbal reprimand
D. Spanking a toddler - answer-b. Ignoring a temper tantrum
(Rationale: The goal of extinction is to reduce parental attention [reinforcement].
Ignoring a temper tantrum does that. Loss of privileges and time-out also are
extinction techniques. Praising is positive reinforcement. Spanking is corporal
punishment, whereas verbal reprimand is verbal punishment.)
First-time parents are discussing temperament with the nurse. They describe their
child as easily frustrated by his toys and withdrawing from anything new. Overall,
he is quite physically active and can become irritated easily. The nurse interprets
this information as suggesting the child's temperament would be categorized as
which of the following?
A. Difficult
B. Intolerant
C. Easy
D. Slow to warm-up - answer-a. Difficult
(Rationale: Difficult children are irritable, highly active and intense. They react to
new experiences by withdrawing and are frustrated easily. The easy child is even-
tempered, predictable, and positive. The slow-to-warm-up child can be moody and
moderately active and may need time to adjust to something new while doing so
with mild resistance. Intolerant is not a category of temperament.)
People tell the nurse that they respect and elicit their three children's ideas. They
enjoy their differing interests and personalities. The family has set rules the children
are expected to follow; punishment is not emphasized. Their parenting style is
which of the following?
A. Authoritarian
B. Laissez-faire
C. Permissive
D. Authoritative - answer-d. Authoritative
(Rationale: The parents use the authoritative or democratic style and will likely raise
self-confident, responsible children. Permissive parents [laissez-faire] have few or
inconsistent rules while maintaining little control of their children's behavior.
Authoritarian parents expect obedience to strictly set rules. Nonadherence results in
punishment, which can be severe. These parents often raise followers or aggressive
children.)
The mother of a 12-year-old boy is concerned about the dangers of the Internet and
asks the nurse what she can do. What comment by the nurse would be most
helpful?
A. "Tell him to never share personal information online."
B. "The Internet is a great place to do research for school."
MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CARE
A nurse is working in an ambulatory health care clinic in a poor neighborhood. The
majority of families are living in poverty. Which nursing intervention would most
likely provide the greatest benefit for the children seen at this clinic?
A. Cautioning them about home safety issues
B. Providing drug samples for prescribed therapy
C. Promoting healthy sleep and rest habits
D. Educating the parents about preventative care - answer-b. Providing drug
samples for prescribed therapy
(Rationale: People who live in poverty and many who live on very low incomes do
not have enough money to afford medications needed for therapy. Providing them
with drug samples is a common intervention. Preventative care, home safety, and
proper sleep and rest are not as important as ensuring that the child gets the
medicine needed.)
An older couple approaches the nurse's station. They identify themselves as the
grandparents of the young girl in room 2210 and are seeking information about
their hospitalized grandchild. Which response by the nurse would be most
appropriate?
A. Assume "busy-looking" behaviors and move away.
B. Answer the grandparents' questions in a less public place.
C. Ask to see identification from the two individuals.
D. Tell the couple to seek information directly from the child's parents. - answer-d.
Tell the couple to seek information directly from the child's parents.
(Rationale: To protect the child's privacy, information can be shared only with legal
guardians, parents, or those identified in writing. Giving the grandparents
information without permission of the legal guardians is inappropriate and violates
the child's privacy. Asking to see identification is of no purpose. "Looking busy" only
temporarily avoids confronting the privacy rights.)
Consent for urgent treatment is needed for a minor. However, his parents are
several hours away at a business meeting. Which actions would reflect informed
consent?
A. Explaining the needed treatment to the minor and documenting this action
B. Contacting the institution's attorney to provide and document consent
C. Obtaining telephone consent with two witnesses listening simultaneously
D. Treating the minor and obtaining written permission later when the parents
arrive - answer-c. Obtaining telephone consent with two witnesses listening
simultaneously
(Rationale: Telephone consent documented with two witness signatures is
appropriate. Explaining the needed treatment to the minor, contacting the
institution's attorney, or treating the minor and getting written permission later
when the parents arrive would be inappropriate.)
, During a parenting class, the nurse gives examples of extinction as a form of
discipline. Which of the following would be an example of this technique?
A. Praising desired behavior
B. Ignoring a temper tantrum
C. Using verbal reprimand
D. Spanking a toddler - answer-b. Ignoring a temper tantrum
(Rationale: The goal of extinction is to reduce parental attention [reinforcement].
Ignoring a temper tantrum does that. Loss of privileges and time-out also are
extinction techniques. Praising is positive reinforcement. Spanking is corporal
punishment, whereas verbal reprimand is verbal punishment.)
First-time parents are discussing temperament with the nurse. They describe their
child as easily frustrated by his toys and withdrawing from anything new. Overall,
he is quite physically active and can become irritated easily. The nurse interprets
this information as suggesting the child's temperament would be categorized as
which of the following?
A. Difficult
B. Intolerant
C. Easy
D. Slow to warm-up - answer-a. Difficult
(Rationale: Difficult children are irritable, highly active and intense. They react to
new experiences by withdrawing and are frustrated easily. The easy child is even-
tempered, predictable, and positive. The slow-to-warm-up child can be moody and
moderately active and may need time to adjust to something new while doing so
with mild resistance. Intolerant is not a category of temperament.)
People tell the nurse that they respect and elicit their three children's ideas. They
enjoy their differing interests and personalities. The family has set rules the children
are expected to follow; punishment is not emphasized. Their parenting style is
which of the following?
A. Authoritarian
B. Laissez-faire
C. Permissive
D. Authoritative - answer-d. Authoritative
(Rationale: The parents use the authoritative or democratic style and will likely raise
self-confident, responsible children. Permissive parents [laissez-faire] have few or
inconsistent rules while maintaining little control of their children's behavior.
Authoritarian parents expect obedience to strictly set rules. Nonadherence results in
punishment, which can be severe. These parents often raise followers or aggressive
children.)
The mother of a 12-year-old boy is concerned about the dangers of the Internet and
asks the nurse what she can do. What comment by the nurse would be most
helpful?
A. "Tell him to never share personal information online."
B. "The Internet is a great place to do research for school."
