During a well-child examination, the parents of a 4-year-old client inform the nurse that they are thinking of buying a television for their child's bedroom and ask for advice as to whether this is appropriate. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?

Question

1. "It is okay for children to have a television in their room as long as you limit the amount of time they watch it to less than 2 hours per day."
2. "Research has shown that watching educational television shows improves a child's performance in school."
3. "Don't buy a television for your child's room; he is much too young for that."
4. "Research has shown that children with a television in their bedroom spend significantly less time playing outside than other children."

Answer 1

4
Explanation:
1. This information is correct in that limiting television viewing to less than 2 hours per day is appropriate, but the probability of this occurring with a television in the child's room is low; the child will most likely be watching much more than 2 hours per day.
2. This statement might encourage the parents to allow the child to watch more television, and the child's developmental need for physical activity is greater than the benefit that he might obtain by watching educational programs.
3. This statement does not give parents a rationale, and it might seem opinionated to them.
4. Young children need to be physically active at this age. Research has shown that children with a television in their bedroom spend significantly less time playing outside than do other children, and physical inactivity in children has been linked to many chronic diseases, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Telling parents this is the best response because it gives the parents an evidence-based reason for not placing a television in the child's room.