Nokea
The nurse notes that the parents of a critically ill child spend a large amount of time talking with the parents of another child who is also seriously ill. They talk with these parents more than with the nurses. How should the nurse interpret this situation?
- A. Parent-to-parent support is valuable.
- B. Dependence on other parents in crisis is unhealthy.
- C. This is occurring because the nurses are unresponsive to the parents.
- D. This has the potential to increase friction between the parents and nursing staff.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Parent-to-parent support is valuable, as parents who share similar experiences can offer unique emotional and practical support that nurses cannot provide. This is not unhealthy dependence, a sign of unresponsive nurses, or likely to cause friction, but rather a beneficial coping mechanism.
You may also like to solve these questions
What is the major health concern of children in the United States?
- A. Acute illness
- B. Chronic illness
- C. Congenital disabilities
- D. Nervous system disorders
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An estimated 18% of children in the United States have a chronic illness or disability requiring health care services beyond typical needs. Chronic illness has surpassed acute illness as the primary health concern for children. Congenital disabilities contribute to chronic illnesses but are not the main concern, and nervous system disorders account for about 17% of chronic illnesses, a subset of the broader issue.
Parents ask for help for their other children to cope with the changes in the family resulting from the special needs of their sibling. What strategy does the nurse recommend?
- A. Explain to the siblings that embarrassment is unhealthy.
- B. Encourage the parents not to expect siblings to help them care for the child with special needs.
- C. Provide information to the siblings about the childs condition only as requested.
- D. Invite the siblings to attend meetings to develop plans for the child with special needs.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Inviting siblings to attend meetings, such as those for individualized education plans, involves them in the care process, fostering understanding and inclusion. Discouraging embarrassment ignores natural feelings, expecting no help may exclude siblings, and providing information only on request risks misinformation.
The nurse is assessing the coping behaviors of the parents of a child recently diagnosed with a chronic illness. What behavior should the nurse consider an approach behavior that results in movement toward adjustment?
- A. Being unable to adjust to a progression of the disease or condition
- B. Anticipating future problems and seeking guidance and answers
- C. Looking for new cures without a perspective toward possible benefit
- D. Failing to recognize the seriousness of the childs condition despite physical evidence
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Anticipating future problems and seeking guidance are approach behaviors that promote adjustment by proactively addressing the child?s needs. Inability to adjust, seeking cures unrealistically, or denying severity are avoidance behaviors that hinder coping and adaptation.
Families progress through various stages of reactions when a child is diagnosed with a chronic illness or disability. After the shock phase, a period of adjustment usually follows. This is often characterized by what response?
- A. Denial
- B. Guilt and anger
- C. Social reintegration
- D. Acceptance of the childs limitations
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The adjustment phase after a chronic illness diagnosis is often marked by guilt, self-accusation, bitterness, and anger as families grapple with the reality. Denial characterizes the initial shock phase, while social reintegration and acceptance occur later in the adjustment process.
A 5-year-old child will be starting kindergarten next month. She has cerebral palsy, and it has been determined that she needs to be in a special education classroom. Her parents are tearful when telling the nurse about this and state that they did not realize her disability was so severe. What is the best interpretation of this situation?
- A. This is a sign the parents are in denial.
- B. This is a normal anticipated time of parental stress.
- C. The parents need to learn more about cerebral palsy.
- D. The parents expectations are too high.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Parental stress often peaks at anticipated milestones like starting school, especially for a child with a disability like cerebral palsy, as it highlights the severity of limitations. This is a normal response, not denial, a knowledge deficit, or overly high expectations.