The nurse is working on the pediatric unit. In preparing to give medications to a preschool-age child, which of the following is an appropriate interaction by the nurse?

Question

a. "Do you want to take your medication now?"
b. "Would you like the medication with water or juice?"
c. "Let me explain about the injection that you will be getting."
d. "If you don't take the medication now, you will not get better."

Answer 1

B

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A The child should not be given the option of not taking a medication.
B Allowing the child a choice of taking a medication with water or juice may have greater success because the child is involved.
C The nurse should explain the procedure to a child using short words and simple language appropriate to the child's level of comprehension. Long explanations may increase a child's anxiety.
D The statement, "If you don't take the medication now, you will not get better," is not a motivation for the child to take the prescribed medication. Giving the child a star or token afterward would be more motivating.