A nurse in the outpatient pediatric clinic is reviewing the records of a preschool-age child, and notes that the parents often miss routine health care visits, and that the child has not received the second measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine

Question

The nurse should: 1. Speak firmly with the parents about the importance of being compliant.

2. Notify the physician that the child's immunizations are no longer up to date.

3. Call the parents and encourage them to bring the child for recommended care.

4. Plan to discuss the principles of health supervision at the next scheduled visit.

Answer 1

3

Rationale:

1. Speaking firmly with the parents about compliance will alienate the parents at this time.
2. The nurse is responsible for reviewing the health supervision of the child, there is not reason to abdicate this to another health professional.
3. Partnering with the parents and encouraging the parents to follow health supervision guidelines is the best strategy to use.
4. A discussion of the principles of health supervision without an intervention at this visit would mean a delay in needed health care for the child in this example.