Practice Question
A 4-year-old child is admitted to the pediatric unit for a minor surgical procedure. The child believes that the surgery is a punishment for being "bad." Which response by the nurse is most appropriate to address the child's magical thinking?
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
"It's normal that you might feel that way. However, "You are not being punished. The surgery is to help you get better."
Rationale:
🔷 Preschoolers engage in magical thinking, often believing their actions or thoughts cause unrelated events like illness or surgery.
🔷 The selected response addresses the child's developmental stage while reassuring them surgery is not punishment.
🔷 Validating the child’s feelings helps establish emotional security and builds trust with caregivers.
🔷 Providing simple, clear explanations appropriate to their cognitive level reduces anxiety and confusion.
🔷 This approach supports emotional development and corrects false beliefs without dismissal.
Want to practice more questions like this?
This question is from RN ATI Pediatrics Exam VII which contains 66 questions.
More Questions from This Exam
A nurse is assessing a 4-year old preschooler. Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse a need to refer the child for a possible developmental delay? (Select all that apply.)
Answer Choices:
A nurse is providing health promotion teaching to the parents of an infant. Which of the following conditions should the nurse identify as the leading cause of death among this age group?
Answer Choices:
The parent of a recently readmitted 3-year-old child with a chronic illness tells the nurse, "I am not sure what to do about my other children. Every time she comes back to the hospital, they have to go to the babysitter. They are telling me that it is not fair that their sister gets all my attention." Which is the nurse's best assessment of this situation?
Answer Choices:
A nurse is conducting a health history assessment on a pediatric patient newly admitted to the pediatric floor. Which of the following questions should the nurse include to gather comprehensive information? (Select all that apply.)
Answer Choices:
A nurse is teaching a class about expected developmental milestones in 2-year-old toddlers. The nurse should include which of the following milestones?
Answer Choices:
Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: ATI Exam(s)
- Domain: RN ATI Pediatrics
- Answer Choices: 4