Question

A 6-month-old client is placed on strict bed rest following a hernia repair. Which toy is best suited to the client? A. Colorful crib mobile B. Hand-held electronic games C. Cars in a plastic container D. 30-piece jigsaw puzzle

Short answer

Answer: A colorful crib mobile (Option A) is the most appropriate toy, as it provides visual stimulation, is age-appropriate, and does not require physical activity that may worsen the child's condition.

Step-by-step solution

Review toys and options

We have four toy options: A. Colorful crib mobile B. Hand-held electronic games C. Cars in a plastic container D. 30-piece jigsaw puzzle

Evaluate suitability for a 6-month-old child

Consider the child's age (6 months old) and evaluate each toy option accordingly: A. Colorful crib mobile: Suitable for infants, visual stimulation and age-appropriate. B. Hand-held electronic games: Not suitable for a 6-month-old child, as they are not yet capable of understanding or manipulating electronic games. C. Cars in a plastic container: Not suitable for a 6-month-old, as they are too young to play with toy cars safely and may pose a choking hazard. D. 30-piece jigsaw puzzle: Not suitable for a 6-month-old, as they are too young to understand or complete a jigsaw puzzle.

Evaluate suitability for bed rest following hernia repair

A child on strict bed rest following a hernia repair should be provided with a toy that requires minimal physical activity. Consider each toy option in this context: A. Colorful crib mobile: Can be safely used in bed and does not require physical activity. B. Hand-held electronic games: Not suitable for a 6-month-old child, as mentioned in Step 2. C. Cars in a plastic container: Requires physical activity that may not be suitable for a child on bed rest. D. 30-piece jigsaw puzzle: Not suitable for a 6-month-old child, as mentioned in Step 2.

Identify the best-suited toy

Based on the analysis in Steps 2 and 3, the best-suited toy for a 6-month-old client on strict bed rest following a hernia repair is a colorful crib mobile (Option A). The crib mobile provides visual stimulation, is age-appropriate, and does not require physical activity that may worsen the child's condition.

Key concepts

Pediatric Nursing Care

Ensuring that pediatric patients receive appropriate nursing care is critical, particularly when dealing with younger children and infants. Pediatric nursing care focuses on the unique physiological and developmental needs of children. In the context of our exercise, a 6-month-old infant on bed rest requires careful consideration to avoid postoperative complications and to promote a healing environment.

One of the key aspects of pediatric nursing is creating a safe and comforting environment. This means alleviating fear, providing comfort, and also using appropriate medical and non-medical interventions to support recovery. For infants post-surgery, this includes close monitoring of vital signs, maintaining fluid balance, and ensuring that pain is effectively managed. Because children have limited ways of communicating their needs or discomfort, nurses must also be adept at interpreting non-verbal cues and responding to them promptly and effectively.

Postoperative Care for Infants

After surgical procedures such as hernia repairs, infants require specialized postoperative care to prevent complications. The main goals are to manage pain, prevent infection, and provide emotional support. Comfort measures like swaddling can be soothing, as can the presence of a parent or caregiver when possible.

It's also imperative that any stimuli in the environment are designed to not overwhelm the infant. Postoperative care includes measures such as ensuring proper incision care, monitoring for signs of infection or discomfort, and managing the infant's nutrition and hydration. Since mobility can be restricted after surgery, as it is in our exercise scenario, toys and activities selected for the infant must support bed rest protocols to aid in recovery.

Appropriate Toys for Hospitalized Children

Choosing the right toys for hospitalized children is a thoughtful process, as the selected items should cater to their developmental stage and medical situation. For infants like the 6-month-old in our scenario, appropriate toys are those that engage their senses and can be experienced without requiring movement that could disrupt healing.

A colorful crib mobile is an excellent choice for several reasons: it promotes visual tracking, helps with cognitive development, and can offer a distraction which is quite soothing. In comparison, toys like hand-held electronic games, cars, or jigsaw puzzles not only present potential safety hazards such as choking but also are not developmentally appropriate for an infant's motor and cognitive skills.