The student nurse is preparing to perform an assessment on a 5-year-old Arab American child with a possible case of otitis media. The experienced nurse accompanies the student nurse

Question

Which of the following statements by the student nurse indicate that further education is required? Standard Text: Select all that apply. 1. "It would be best to have the child sit in his mom's lap if we have to give him a shot.".
2. "Before I listen to the child's lungs, I can let him play with my stethoscope.".
3. "I will be able to see the tympanic membrane more clearly if I pull the tragus down and back.".
4. "It really doesn't matter what his culture is; mommies always make the decisions about children's health care issues.".
5. "I'm going to have to be firm but friendly with my approach to the child.".

Answer 1

1,3,4
Rationale 1: "It would be best to have the child sit in his mom's lap if we have to give him a shot.". Painful procedures should not be performed while a child is seated on a parent's lap. Children need to know they are safe from painful experiences when they are with their parents.
Rationale 2: "Before I listen to the child's lungs, I can let him play with my stethoscope.". Whenever possible, play should be incorporated into nursing procedures. It is helpful to allow children to touch and manipulate equipment.
Rationale 3: "I will be able to see the tympanic membrane more clearly if I pull the tragus down and back.". The student nurse should pull the pinna up and back because the child is older than 4 years of age.
Rationale 4: "It really doesn't matter what his culture is; mommies always make the decisions about children's health care issues.". Arab Americans have patriarchal hierarchies where the father must be consulted prior to any professional healthcare decisions.
Rationale 5: "I'm going to have to be firm but friendly with my approach to the child.". Nurses should use a caring, supportive, yet firm approach with children.