Question

The nurses approach when introducing hospital equipment to a preschooler who seems afraid should be based on which principle?

a. Minimize communication to avoid increasing anxiety.
b. Provide detailed technical explanations to ease fears.
c. Use play therapy and simple explanations to alleviate fear.
d. Quickly demonstrate the equipment without prior explanation.

Answer 1

When introducing hospital equipment to a frightened preschooler, nurses should use play therapy and simple explanations to alleviate fear, as this approach is age-appropriate and helps in making the equipment seem less threatening.

Step-by-step explanation:

The principle that nurses should follow when introducing hospital equipment to a preschooler who is afraid is to use play therapy and simple explanations to alleviate fear. This approach takes into account that children at the preschool age are in a developmental stage where they can be very imaginative and are learning to understand the world around them. Introducing medical equipment through play can make the equipment seem less threatening, turning a potentially scary situation into one that is more manageable for the child. Providing simple explanations that are age-appropriate helps in reinforcing understanding and reducing fear, fostering a sense of familiarity and safety.