Final answer:
The primary nursing goal for children under 5 years when hospitalized is to prevent separation from parents, as it can cause significant distress related to developmental needs for secure attachment and stability.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary nursing goal for the hospitalized child younger than 5 years is to prevent separation from parents. Separation anxiety, especially within the neonatal period and early years, is significant due to a young child's strong need for a secure attachment with their caregivers. This need is grounded in developmental psychology, as demonstrated in Ainsworth's attachment theory, which shows how infants are distressed when separated from their caregivers, and use their caregivers as a secure base for exploration. Piaget also highlights the development of object permanence and stranger anxiety around the same age, adding to the stress of separation in a young child. As children, especially infants and toddlers, are entirely dependent on their parents for care, the absence of their parents can disrupt the child's sense of security and routine, leading to distress and potential long-term psychological effects.