Question

The mother of a preschool child tells the child, “If you don’t behave, I’ll have the nurse give you a shot.” The best nurse’s response would be to: A. ignore the comment as it is obviously not true. B. reply, “Oh yes, you better be good while you are here.” C. wait until the mother leaves the room and then tell the child that this was incorrect. D. reply, “Oh, no, I only give shots when the doctor thinks it will make you better.”

Short answer

The best response is D. reply, “Oh, no, I only give shots when the doctor thinks it will make you better.”

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Scenario

Read and understand the situation presented. A mother warns her child about misbehavior with the threat of a shot, which implicates the nurse in the discipline of her child.

Analyzing Potential Responses

Consider each answer choice and its implications. Analyze which choices reinforce inaccurate beliefs or involve the nurse inappropriately, and which choices provide educational value and maintain the nurse's role properly.

Selecting the Best Response

Choose the option that does not reinforce the mother's threat, maintains the child's trust in healthcare professionals, and educates the child about the true purpose of receiving a shot.

Key concepts

Nursing Ethics

Ethical dilemmas in nursing practice are not uncommon, and how a nurse responds to such situations can greatly impact patient care. The principle at stake in the given scenario is the ethical responsibility of the nurse to uphold honesty and build trust with patients—in this case, a child. It is unethical to perpetuate a false belief that shots are given as a form of punishment rather than treatment. Nurses are bound by a code of ethics that prioritizes patient welfare and truthfulness.

A response like, 'Oh, no, I only give shots when the doctor thinks it will make you better,' aligns with ethical standards as it corrects the mother's misleading statement without undermining her authority and explains the true purpose of a shot. This approach respects the child's cognitive development level while fostering an understanding of medical procedures as beneficial health measures, rather than punitive actions. By doing so, the nurse upholds ethical principles such as nonmaleficence—avoiding harm—and beneficence—promoting the patient's well-being.

Patient Education

Effective patient education is foundational to nursing care and plays a pivotal role in promoting health literacy. Educational interventions should be age-appropriate and tailored to the patient's level of understanding. In the exercise, the nurse seizes the opportunity to educate the preschool child about the true nature of injections.

The educational aspect of the nurse's response lies in addressing misconceptions and fears surrounding medical procedures. By plainly stating, 'I only give shots when the doctor thinks it will make you better,' the nurse provides simple yet essential information that can demystify the experience for the child, reduce anxiety, and contribute to more cooperative behavior in future healthcare settings. Patient education, when done correctly, empowers individuals by providing them with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their health and interactions with the healthcare system.

Pediatric Nursing

Pediatric nursing requires a unique set of skills that includes an understanding of child development and effective communication strategies with both children and their caregivers. The nurse in the scenario applies these skills by addressing the child directly to allay their fears about injections. Pediatric patients can develop lasting impressions of healthcare based on their early experiences; therefore, it is crucial to maintain a child-friendly environment and approach.

Through the selected response, the nurse demonstrates a critical aspect of pediatric nursing: ensuring that the child associates healthcare settings with care and healing rather than punishment or fear. This is achieved not only through words but also through consistently positive interactions. A pediatric nurse must be an advocate for the child's well-being and work to establish a trusting relationship, laying the groundwork for healthier attitudes towards medical care throughout the child's development.