C HAPTER 33: A LTERATIONS IN C OGNITION
AND M ENTAL H EALTH
Question 1
Type: MCSA
1. A nurse is caring for four pediatric clients in the hospital. Which client should
the nurse refer for play therapy?
1. An adolescent with asthma
2. A preschool-age child with a fractured femur
3. A school-age child having an appendectomy
4. An infant with sepsis
Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: Play therapy is often used with preschool and school-age children who
are experiencing anxiety, stress, and other specific nonpsychotic
mental disorders. In this case, the child who experiences a condition
that requires longer hospitalization and recovery, such as a fracture of
the femur, should be referred for play therapy. The adolescent with
asthma, the school-age child having an appendectomy, and the infant
with sepsis do not have as high a need for play therapy as the preschool
child with a broken bone.
Rationale 2: Play therapy is often used with preschool and school-age children who
are experiencing anxiety, stress, and other specific nonpsychotic
mental disorders. In this case, the child who experiences a condition
, that requires longer hospitalization and recovery, such as a frac ture of
the femur, should be referred for play therapy. The adolescent with
asthma, the school-age child having an appendectomy, and the infant
with sepsis do not have as high a need for play therapy as the preschool
child with a broken bone.
Rationale 3: Play therapy is often used with preschool and school -age children who
are experiencing anxiety, stress, and other specific nonpsychotic
mental disorders. In this case, the child who experiences a condition
that requires longer hospitalization and recover y, such as a fracture of
the femur, should be referred for play therapy. The adolescent with
asthma, the school-age child having an appendectomy, and the infant
with sepsis do not have as high a need for play therapy as the preschool
child with a broken bone.
Rationale 4: Play therapy is often used with preschool and school -age children who
are experiencing anxiety, stress, and other specific nonpsychotic
mental disorders. In this case, the child who experiences a condition
that requires longer hospitalization and recovery, such as a fracture of
the femur, should be referred for play therapy. The adolescent with
asthma, the school-age child having an appendectomy, and the infant
with sepsis do not have as high a need for play therapy as the presc hool
child with a broken bone.
Global Rationale: Play therapy is often used with preschool and school -age
children who are experiencing anxiety, stress, and other specific
nonpsychotic mental disorders. In this case, the child who
experiences a condition that requires longer hospitalization and
recovery, such as a fracture of the femur, should be referred for
play therapy. The adolescent with asthma, the school-age child
having an appendectomy, and the infant with sepsis do not have
, as high a need for play therapy as the preschool child with a
broken bone.
Cognitive Level: Applying
Client Need: Psychosocial Integrity
Client Need Sub:
Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Nursing Process: Implementation
Learning Outcome: LO 28.3 Plan for the nursing management of children and
adolescents with mental health alterations in the hospital and
community settings.
Question 2
Type: MCSA
2. A school-age client diagnosed with autism is admitted to the hospital because of
recent vomiting and diarrhea. Which intervention by the nurse is most
appropriate upon admission?
1. Take the child on a quick tour of the whole unit.
2. Take the child to the playroom immediately for arts and crafts.
3. Orient the child to the hospital room with minimal distractions.
4. Admit the child to a four-bed unit with small children.
Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: Autistic children interpret and respond to the environment differently
from other individuals. The child needs to be oriented to new settings
and adjusts best to a quiet, controlled environment. A hospital room
with only one other child is best.
AND M ENTAL H EALTH
Question 1
Type: MCSA
1. A nurse is caring for four pediatric clients in the hospital. Which client should
the nurse refer for play therapy?
1. An adolescent with asthma
2. A preschool-age child with a fractured femur
3. A school-age child having an appendectomy
4. An infant with sepsis
Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: Play therapy is often used with preschool and school-age children who
are experiencing anxiety, stress, and other specific nonpsychotic
mental disorders. In this case, the child who experiences a condition
that requires longer hospitalization and recovery, such as a fracture of
the femur, should be referred for play therapy. The adolescent with
asthma, the school-age child having an appendectomy, and the infant
with sepsis do not have as high a need for play therapy as the preschool
child with a broken bone.
Rationale 2: Play therapy is often used with preschool and school-age children who
are experiencing anxiety, stress, and other specific nonpsychotic
mental disorders. In this case, the child who experiences a condition
, that requires longer hospitalization and recovery, such as a frac ture of
the femur, should be referred for play therapy. The adolescent with
asthma, the school-age child having an appendectomy, and the infant
with sepsis do not have as high a need for play therapy as the preschool
child with a broken bone.
Rationale 3: Play therapy is often used with preschool and school -age children who
are experiencing anxiety, stress, and other specific nonpsychotic
mental disorders. In this case, the child who experiences a condition
that requires longer hospitalization and recover y, such as a fracture of
the femur, should be referred for play therapy. The adolescent with
asthma, the school-age child having an appendectomy, and the infant
with sepsis do not have as high a need for play therapy as the preschool
child with a broken bone.
Rationale 4: Play therapy is often used with preschool and school -age children who
are experiencing anxiety, stress, and other specific nonpsychotic
mental disorders. In this case, the child who experiences a condition
that requires longer hospitalization and recovery, such as a fracture of
the femur, should be referred for play therapy. The adolescent with
asthma, the school-age child having an appendectomy, and the infant
with sepsis do not have as high a need for play therapy as the presc hool
child with a broken bone.
Global Rationale: Play therapy is often used with preschool and school -age
children who are experiencing anxiety, stress, and other specific
nonpsychotic mental disorders. In this case, the child who
experiences a condition that requires longer hospitalization and
recovery, such as a fracture of the femur, should be referred for
play therapy. The adolescent with asthma, the school-age child
having an appendectomy, and the infant with sepsis do not have
, as high a need for play therapy as the preschool child with a
broken bone.
Cognitive Level: Applying
Client Need: Psychosocial Integrity
Client Need Sub:
Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Nursing Process: Implementation
Learning Outcome: LO 28.3 Plan for the nursing management of children and
adolescents with mental health alterations in the hospital and
community settings.
Question 2
Type: MCSA
2. A school-age client diagnosed with autism is admitted to the hospital because of
recent vomiting and diarrhea. Which intervention by the nurse is most
appropriate upon admission?
1. Take the child on a quick tour of the whole unit.
2. Take the child to the playroom immediately for arts and crafts.
3. Orient the child to the hospital room with minimal distractions.
4. Admit the child to a four-bed unit with small children.
Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: Autistic children interpret and respond to the environment differently
from other individuals. The child needs to be oriented to new settings
and adjusts best to a quiet, controlled environment. A hospital room
with only one other child is best.
