Question

A 7-year-old is to have a painful procedure. Which statement by the nurse best prepares the child to cope with this?

A) "It won't hurt too much, I promise."
B) "You'll get a special treat afterward."
C) "You're a big boy, you can handle it."
D) "Let's talk about something else to distract you."

Answer 1

The most appropriate response to prepare a 7-year-old child for a painful procedure is to use distraction, which helps shift the child's focus away from pain. It is more effective than making promises about pain, offering rewards, or enforcing bravery.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question is related to the best way for a nurse to prepare a 7-year-old child for a painful procedure. The most suitable response among the provided choices is D) "Let's talk about something else to distract you." This response suggests a technique called distraction, which can be very effective for children. It helps to shift the child's attention away from the anxiety and anticipation of pain towards something more pleasant or engaging, thereby reducing their perception of pain.

Other statements, like promising it won't hurt (A), offering a treat afterward (B), or urging them to be brave because of their age (C), do not directly help the child cope with the immediate experience of the procedure and may even increase anxiety or provide misleading expectations.