Wong's Essentials of Pediatric Nursing 11th Edition Test Bank - Health Promotion of the School Age Child and Family Related

Review Wong's Essentials of Pediatric Nursing 11th Edition Test Bank - Health Promotion of the School Age Child and Family related questions and content

An 8-year-old girl tells the nurse that she has cancer because God is punishing her for being bad. What should the nurse interpret this as?

  • A. A common belief at this age
  • B. Indicative of excessive family pressure
  • C. Faith that forms the basis for most religions
  • D. Suggestive of a failure to develop a conscience
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Children at this age may view illness or injury as a punishment for a real or imagined misbehavior. School-age children expect to be punished and tend to choose a punishment that they think fits the crime. This is a common belief and not related to excessive family pressure. Many faiths do not include a God that causes cancer in response for bad behavior. This statement reflects the childs belief in what is right and wrong.