Final answer:
The nurse should provide opportunities for the child to express feelings, arrange for a hospital teacher, check in routinely, and provide a picture book of common hospital equipment to address the child's vulnerability to stress in the hospital.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a chronically ill school-age child is admitted to the hospital, providing them with opportunities to express their feelings is a critical action by the nurse that addresses the child's vulnerability to a common stressor. Acute and chronic stress can have significant health implications, including making individuals more susceptible to infections like the common cold. Providing a safe space for the child to communicate their fears, anxieties, and experiences can help alleviate some of the psychological stresses associated with long-term hospital stays and illness. A hospital teacher can maintain the child’s educational routine, which can also provide a sense of normalcy and distraction from their health concerns. Regular check-ins by the nurse foster a sense of security and personalized care. Finally, providing a picture book of common equipment can help demystify the hospital environment and reduce anxieties about medical procedures, aiding in the child's psychological comfort and understanding.