Final answer:
The nurse should suggest that the parent maintain a consistent bedtime ritual to help the 2 year old child go to bed at a scheduled time. Additionally, ensuring the sleep environment is optimal and avoiding daytime naps can improve the child's sleep hygiene.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of this question relates to healthy sleep habits for toddlers, particularly focusing on what a parent should do if a 2 year old child does not want to go to bed at a scheduled bedtime. The nurse should suggest that the parent maintain consistency in the same bedtime ritual. This can help signal to the child that it's time to settle down and prepare for sleep. To facilitate a better sleep hygiene, it is also helpful to avoid naps during the day, especially for a 2 year old, as they may decrease the child's sleepiness at bedtime. It's important for the sleep environment to be conducive to rest, which means keeping the bedroom dark, cool, and quiet. Moreover, it's beneficial to develop a bedtime routine that might include calming activities, such as reading a story or taking a warm bath, that precede bedtime to help the child wind down.
Other measures for healthy sleep hygiene that might not apply directly to toddlers but are good to keep in mind for general advice include avoiding heavy meals, caffeine, alcohol, and exercise too close to bedtime. For the daytime, avoid inconsistent bedtimes and promote regular physical activity. All these strategies work together to improve the quality of sleep.