Preferred nurses at the Nurseslabs Medical Center are about to perform a procedure related to a genitourinary (GU) problem to a group of pediatric patients. Which of the following groups would find it especially extra stressful?
A. Infants
B. Toddlers
C. Preschoolers
D. School-age children
Correct Answer: C. Preschoolers
In general, preschoolers have more fears because of their fantasies, contributing to fears of the simplest procedures. Castration fears are also prominent at this age and may be heightened by procedures related to GU problems. The human brain is wired to alert us to and protect us from danger. Back in the day, that could mean a panther or wolf attack—so some trepidation around furry creatures is clearly in order. While babies and toddlers are usually scared of animals, too, things get turned up a notch when an active imagination kicks in at this age, explains Dr. Chansky.
Option A: A common fear during infancy is stranger anxiety, or a heightened awareness of strangers, which peaks at around 6 to 8 months. Babies have, by then, formed intimate relationships with people who care for them. Unfamiliar people will stand out, and babies will be sensitive to their personal space.
Option B: At about 3 ½, children often develop a variety of insecurities and physical ways of showing them. Fear of the dark and nightmares are common and may last quite a while. Although many fears are specific to an individual child, some seem to be very typical for this age group-fear of strange animals, bathtub drains, fire, thunder and lightning, snakes, and bugs.
Option D: Children are at a stage of development when they may be worried about growing up and, instead, want to remain little! Often, this is related to the fear of going off to the “big” school and first grade. It is important to allow children to feel their fears, discuss them, and even allow them to stay home for a day, if necessary.