Health Promotion and Maintenance
66. When visiting the home of a school-age child who is dying, what would be the best action by a hospice nurse?
Health Promotion and Maintenance
66. When visiting the home of a school-age child who is dying, what would be the best action by a hospice nurse?
. Speak softly (whisper) when speaking in the child's presence.
. Provide as little interaction with the child as possible.
. Avoid correcting the child who is in denial about dying.
. Rely on the parents for pain assessment.
Test-Taking Tip
Look for the answer that supports a trusting nurse-client relationship. Answers 1, 2, and 4 describe interventions that prevent interaction with the child. Answer 3 allows the child to express feelings, building trust between the nurse and child.
Content Area: Child Health, End-of-Life Care; Integrated Process: Nursing Process, Planning; Cognitive Level: Application; Client Need/Subneed: Psychosocial Integrity/End of Life Care
Health Promotion and Maintenance
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Answer 1 is incorrect because the nurse should speak in a normal tone of voice rather than a whisper. Children may interpret whispers as an indication that death should not be talked about. Answer 2 is incorrect because the nurse should always interact with the child, even if the child is comatose or not verbally responsive, because children may be able to hear the nurse even if they do not respond. Answer 3 is correct because many children use denial as a defense mechanism in the face of their own death. A nurse should not take away the child's defenses; rather, the nurse should be honest when answering the child's questions while allowing the child to accept death when ready. Answer 4 is incorrect because a school-age child should be able to report pain to the nurse. The parents may assist in the pain assessment since they know their child best; deferring to the parents denies the child a voice in the given treatment.