During the first 4 days of hospitalization, Eric, age 18 months, cried inconsolably when his parents left him, and he refused the staff's attention
Now the nurse observes that Eric appears to be "settled in" and unconcerned about seeing his parents. The nurse should interpret this as which statement?
a. He has successfully adjusted to the hospital environment.
b. He has transferred his trust to the nursing staff.
c. He may be experiencing detachment, which is the third stage of separation anxiety.
d. Because he is "at home" in the hospital now, seeing his mother frequently will only start the cycle again.
ANS: C
Detachment is a behavior manifestation of separation anxiety. Superficially it appears that the child has adjusted to the loss. Detachment is a sign of resignation, not contentment. Parents should be encouraged to be with their child. If parents restrict visits, they may begin a pattern of misunderstanding the child's cues and not meeting his needs.
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