Question

Which intervention by the nurse helps to reduce separation anxiety in a child placed in isolation?

1-Move the bed to a window with open shades.
2-Introduce staff to the child after donning masks.
3-Allow close family members to visit with their pet.
4-Provide the child with favorite soft toys from home.

Answer 1

Providing favorite soft toys from home helps reduce separation anxiety for a child in isolation by offering emotional comfort and a sense of normalcy.

Step-by-step explanation:

The intervention by the nurse that helps to reduce separation anxiety in a child placed in isolation would be to provide the child with their favorite soft toys from home. Emotional comfort and attachment objects play vital roles in calming children during stressful situations. Since early social contact is essential for children's development, having an attachment object provides a semblance of normalcy and security in an unfamiliar and potentially frightening environment. Allowing a child's close family members to visit can help to alleviate stress and anxiety as well, but the presence of soft toys from home directly engages with the child's need for comfort and familiarity, similar to Harlow's studies on rhesus monkeys preferring a soft terrycloth 'mother' over a mesh one that provides food.