The nurse is designing a nursing care plan for a toddler with lymphoma, who is hospitalized for treatment. What is a priority intervention that the nurse should include in this child's nursing plan?

Question

A) Limiting visitors to scheduled visiting hours
B) Planning physical therapy for the child
C) Introducing the toddler to other toddlers in the unit
D) Monitoring the toddler for developmental delays

Answer 1

Ans: D
When the toddler is hospitalized, growth and development may be altered. The toddler's primary task is establishing autonomy, and the toddler's focus is mobility and language development. The nurse caring for the hospitalized toddler must use knowledge of normal growth and development to be successful in interactions with the toddler, promote continued development, and recognize delays. Parents should be encouraged to stay with the toddler to avoid separation anxiety. Planning activities and socialization of the toddler is important, but the priority intervention is monitoring for, and addressing, developmental delays that may occur in the hospital.