Chapter 21: The Child’s Experience of
Hospitalization
Leifer: Introduction to Maternity and Pediatric Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which nursing action would facilitate rapport with a child and the child‘s parents during the
admission process?
a. Direct the parents to undress the child.
b. Answer questions in a calm and matter-of-fact way.
c. Perform assessments and ask questions as quickly as possible.
d. Express concern about the seriousness of the child‘s condition.
ANS: B
The nurse tries not to appear rushed. A matter-of-fact attitude must be maintained regardless
of the child‘s condition.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 492 OBJ: 4
TOP: Nurse‘s Role in Hospital Admission
KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity: Psychosocial Adaptation
2. When a 2-year-old child returns to her hospital room following a diagnostic procedure, her
parents are not available, and the child is crying loudly. Which technique is most appropriate to
alleviate the child‘s distress?
a. Rock the child gently to sleep.
b. Play with the child using pop-up toys.
c. Role-play with the child to act out her feelings.
d. Ask the child to draw a picture about her feelings.
ANS: B
Distractions such as blowing bubbles, looking through a kaleidoscope, and playing with pop-
up toys may help reduce anxiety and pain.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 495 OBJ: 5
TOP: The Hospitalized Toddler KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity: Psychosocial Adaptation
, 3. A 4-year-old child begins to cry when his mother tells him it is time for his operation. The nurse
understands this is an expected reaction. On which particular fear of the preschooler does the
nurse base this understanding?
a. Loss of control
b. Restricted mobility
c. Unfamiliar routines
d. Invasive procedures
ANS: D
The preschool child is afraid of bodily harm, particularly invasive procedures.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 496 OBJ: 5
TOP: The Hospitalized Preschooler KEY: Nursing Process Step: Data Collection
MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity: Psychosocial Adaptation
4. What statement by the parent of a hospitalized toddler leads the nurse to determine the parent
understands a hospitalized toddler‘s need for transitional objects?
a. “This stuffed animal makes him feel secure.”
b. “He insisted on bringing this dirty old blanket with him.”
c. “I‘m going to buy him a big stuffed animal from the gift shop.”
d. “I‘d like to get him some toys from the playroom.”
ANS: A
The use of a transitional object such as a blanket or a favorite toy promotes security.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 494 OBJ: 5
TOP: The Hospitalized Toddler KEY: Nursing Process Step: Evaluation
MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity: Psychosocial Adaptation
5. An 8-year-old child will be hospitalized for several weeks in skeletal traction to treat a fractured
femur. What does the nurse realize immobilization in this age group can generate feelings of in
planning care of this child?
a. Loss of control
b. Altered body image
c. Shame and guilt
d. Fear of bodily harm
ANS: A
Forced dependency in the hospital, such as immobilization, can result in a feeling of loss of
control and loss of security.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 496 OBJ: 10
TOP: The Hospitalized School-Age Child
Hospitalization
Leifer: Introduction to Maternity and Pediatric Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which nursing action would facilitate rapport with a child and the child‘s parents during the
admission process?
a. Direct the parents to undress the child.
b. Answer questions in a calm and matter-of-fact way.
c. Perform assessments and ask questions as quickly as possible.
d. Express concern about the seriousness of the child‘s condition.
ANS: B
The nurse tries not to appear rushed. A matter-of-fact attitude must be maintained regardless
of the child‘s condition.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 492 OBJ: 4
TOP: Nurse‘s Role in Hospital Admission
KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity: Psychosocial Adaptation
2. When a 2-year-old child returns to her hospital room following a diagnostic procedure, her
parents are not available, and the child is crying loudly. Which technique is most appropriate to
alleviate the child‘s distress?
a. Rock the child gently to sleep.
b. Play with the child using pop-up toys.
c. Role-play with the child to act out her feelings.
d. Ask the child to draw a picture about her feelings.
ANS: B
Distractions such as blowing bubbles, looking through a kaleidoscope, and playing with pop-
up toys may help reduce anxiety and pain.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 495 OBJ: 5
TOP: The Hospitalized Toddler KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity: Psychosocial Adaptation
, 3. A 4-year-old child begins to cry when his mother tells him it is time for his operation. The nurse
understands this is an expected reaction. On which particular fear of the preschooler does the
nurse base this understanding?
a. Loss of control
b. Restricted mobility
c. Unfamiliar routines
d. Invasive procedures
ANS: D
The preschool child is afraid of bodily harm, particularly invasive procedures.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 496 OBJ: 5
TOP: The Hospitalized Preschooler KEY: Nursing Process Step: Data Collection
MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity: Psychosocial Adaptation
4. What statement by the parent of a hospitalized toddler leads the nurse to determine the parent
understands a hospitalized toddler‘s need for transitional objects?
a. “This stuffed animal makes him feel secure.”
b. “He insisted on bringing this dirty old blanket with him.”
c. “I‘m going to buy him a big stuffed animal from the gift shop.”
d. “I‘d like to get him some toys from the playroom.”
ANS: A
The use of a transitional object such as a blanket or a favorite toy promotes security.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 494 OBJ: 5
TOP: The Hospitalized Toddler KEY: Nursing Process Step: Evaluation
MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity: Psychosocial Adaptation
5. An 8-year-old child will be hospitalized for several weeks in skeletal traction to treat a fractured
femur. What does the nurse realize immobilization in this age group can generate feelings of in
planning care of this child?
a. Loss of control
b. Altered body image
c. Shame and guilt
d. Fear of bodily harm
ANS: A
Forced dependency in the hospital, such as immobilization, can result in a feeling of loss of
control and loss of security.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 496 OBJ: 10
TOP: The Hospitalized School-Age Child
