Anxiety Disorders and Stress Q 36
Situation: A nurse may encounter children with mental disorders. Her knowledge of these various disorders is vital. When planning school interventions for a child with a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, a guide to remember is to:
A. Provide as much structure as possible for the child.
B. Ignore the child’s overactivity.
C. Encourage the child to engage in any play activity to dissipate energy.
D. Remove the child from the classroom when disruptive behavior occurs.
Correct Answer: A. Provide as much structure as possible for the child.
Decrease stimuli for behavior control thru an environment that is free of distractions, a calm non–confrontational approach, and setting limit to time allotted for activities. Implement a scheduled routine every day. Make his routine predictable and something like ritualistic so that it will only be easy for him to grasp for his independent functioning.
Option B: The child will not benefit from a lenient approach. Approach the child at his current level of functioning. Do not use baby talk nor direct him as to his chronological age; encourage him to express his thoughts or emotions and respond to him therapeutically.
Option C: Dissipate energy through safe activities. Encourage physical activity. You may encourage him to join a physical activity that he likes as this may also help him make friends with other children; allow him to exert his energy productively but do not let him get over fatigued, too; physical activity helps in getting good sleep but over fatigue might as well make him uneasy and irritable.
Option D: This indicates that the classroom environment lacks structure. Avoid stimulating or distracting settings. Ensure to involve the child in his daily activities in a quiet and non-stimulating area to prevent him from becoming easily distracted and hyperactive.