Question

The nurse has developed a teaching plan for the family of a 2-year-old boy who holds his breath when he gets frustrated. Which of the following would be a priority intervention to teach to the parents?

A) Provide ""cuddle time"" whenever the child begins to act out.
B) Explain the severity of the effects of an episode.
C) Encourage the parents to interact more with the child.
D) Stay close to prevent injury when he gets frustrated.

Answer 1

The priority intervention is to stay close to prevent injury when the child gets frustrated. This ensures the child's safety during breath-holding episodes, which is immediate and practical.

Step-by-step explanation:

Among the interventions listed, the priority for teaching the parents of a 2-year-old boy who holds his breath when frustrated would be D) Stay close to prevent injury when he gets frustrated. This approach is a form of safeguarding the child, ensuring his physical safety during a breath-holding spell, which could lead to potential injury if he were to fall or faint. Teaching parents the importance of staying calm, delivering consistent consequences for behavior, and ensuring safety during episodes of breath-holding can be crucial in managing these situations.

While cuddle time and encouraging interaction are supportive strategies promoting secure attachment and positive behavior, they are not immediate interventions for breath-holding scenarios. Highlighting severity may increase parental anxiety without providing a practical immediate intervention during an episode. It is important to address the behavior's root cause by acknowledging the child's frustration and applying appropriate behavior modification techniques while ensuring their safety.