The nurse is explaining a procedure to a 2-year-old female client. Which strategy should the nurse use for client teaching?

Question

1. Ask the client to draw her feelings.
2. Show needles, syringes, and bandages.
3. Tell the client about postoperative pain.
4. Use dolls and stories to explain surgery.

Answer 1

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4. Using dolls, stuffed animals, or puppets with stories is a suitable way to explain surgery to the 2-year-old client because storytelling is a familiar communication method for the toddler's developmental stage. A 2-year-old child is unlikely to understand an explanation about the surgery suited for an adult, and the discussion can frighten the child and upset the family or guardian. Most children can learn from and enjoy stories even if storytelling is not performed in the home.
1. A 2-year-old child lacks the fine motor and cognitive skills to draw an abstract concept.
2. Needles, syringes, and bandages are, usually, not shown to clients of any developmental level because many people at various ages are fearful of needles and pain.
3. A toddler is unlikely understand and probably frightened by a discussion about postoperative pain, even if pain management techniques are mentioned and the client is guaranteed a pain-free experience. Depending on the child, the nurse may describe pain as discomfort or soreness, point to the area involved, and provide additional details to the parents or guardian.