Question

A 4-year-old child is hospitalized for severe gastroenteritis. The child is crying and clinging to the mother. The mother becomes very upset and is afraid to leave the child. Which of the following nursing interventions would be most appropriate to alleviate the child's fears and the mother's anxiety?

a) Encourage the mother to leave and take breaks
b) Allow the mother to stay with the child at all times
c) Limit visitation to decrease stress on the child
d) Provide sedation for both the child and the mother

Answer 1

The most appropriate nursing intervention would be to allow the mother to stay with the child at all times to alleviate their fears and anxiety.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most appropriate nursing intervention to alleviate the child's fears and the mother's anxiety would be to allow the mother to stay with the child at all times (option b).

By allowing the mother to stay with the child, it provides a sense of security and comfort for both the child and the mother. Being hospitalized can be a stressful experience for a child, especially at a young age, and having the mother present can help reduce anxiety and promote emotional well-being.

Furthermore, research has shown that parental presence during hospitalization can have numerous benefits, including increased satisfaction, improved cooperation with medical procedures, and decreased feelings of fear and anxiety.