The 2-year-old child comes to the emergency department with a laceration to the lower leg. The physician plans to use a local anesthetic, but the child screams at the sight of the needle. What is the best action by the nurse?
1. Wrap the child in a blanket to restrain him and ensure safety during suturing.
2. Rub a local anesthetic cream on the skin so the child will not feel the needle.
3. Administer a small dose of a medication such as lorazepam (Ativan).
4. Ask the parents to leave the room so the child will quiet down.
Correct Answer: 2
Rationale: The child will be more cooperative if there isn't any pain from an injection. There isn't any indication to administer lorazepam (Ativan). Restraining the child will terrify him and is not indicated at this time. The presence of parents usually decreases a child's anxiety and increases cooperation.
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