Question

A previously potty-trained 30-month-old child has reverted to wearing diapers while hospitalized. The nurse should reassure the parents that this is normal because of which reason?

A. Regression is seen during hospitalization.
B. Developmental delays occur because of the hospitalization.
C. The child is experiencing urinary urgency because of hospitalization.
D. The child was too young to be potty-trained.

Answer 1

The child's return to diapers while hospitalized signifies normal regression due to the stress of the hospital environment and is a temporary coping mechanism, not a reflection of developmental issues or the appropriateness of prior potty training.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should reassure the parents that the 30-month-old child reverting to diapers while hospitalized is experiencing a normal behavior known as regression. This phenomenon is common among young children who are faced with stressful situations or significant changes to their routine, such as a hospital stay. It does not indicate developmental delays or urinary urgency specifically due to the hospitalization, nor does it suggest the child was too young to be potty-trained. Instead, it's a temporary coping mechanism that children sometimes display when they're under stress. It is a part of the child's psychological response to the unfamiliar environment and potential anxiety related to the hospital experience.