Which action by the mother of a preschooler would indicate a disturbed family interaction?
A. Tells her child that if he does not sit down and shut up she will leave him there.
B. Explains that the injection will burn like a bee sting.
C. Tells her child that the injection can be given while he’s in her lap.
D. Reassures the child that it is acceptable to cry.
Correct Answer: A. Tells her child that if he does not sit down and shut up she will leave him there.
Threatening a child with abandonment will destroy the child’s trust in his family. Children growing up in such families are likely to develop low self-esteem and feel that their needs are not important or perhaps should not be taken seriously by others. As a result, they may form unsatisfying relationships as adults.
Option B: It can help to describe the need for injections and blood testing in kid terms. For example, the nurse might explain that the shots and blood tests help keep the child feeling good throughout the day — and that not getting them could mean having to stay home from school or miss fun activities because of health problems.
Option C: Having both parents (or one parent plus another caregiver) involved in the management process will help keep treatment consistent and also provide support as the nurse deals with struggles over shots and blood tests.
Option D: If the child argues or cries, the parents might be tempted to skip an injection or test just this once. Nurses shouldn’t negotiate blood tests or shots. They’re necessary and not optional. The first time you’re talked out of one, you’ll set a precedent that that child won’t forget.