Pediatric Nursing Q 172
Nurse Sophia is teaching the parents of a child with pervasive developmental disorder about how to deal with the child when his behavior escalates and he begins throwing things and screaming. Which guideline would be most helpful for the parents to deal with the situation?
A. Accept the child's limitations and ignore this behavior
B. Decrease stimulation in the environment and provide a time-out
C. Seek help when feeling overwhelmed by the child's behavior
D. Tell the child to calm down, and encourage quiet activity
Correct Answer: B. Decrease stimulation in the environment, and provide a time-out.
A child with a pervasive developmental disorder can have bizarre responses to environmental stimuli. By decreasing that stimulating effect and providing a time-out, the child can more readily de-escalate the behaviors.
Option A: Escalating behaviors, such as those described, require intervention to promote safety. It is inappropriate to ignore this. The situation requires immediate intervention. Regular health checkups, diagnostics, health promotion teaching, and emergency situations require more time while maintaining a controlled environment with a focus on specific communication.
Option C: The parents should seek help when overwhelmed, but they must intervene when safety is an issue. With counseling, support groups, behavioral therapy, physical and occupational therapies, and ongoing reading of current literature, family members can work together to communicate honestly, accept their circumstances, and rejoice with each moment of progress.
Option D: The response in option D is inadequate; the child will not be able to calm down without assistance. In most social situations, people with ASD may interpret language literally. An example is when directing a patient to “open your mouth and say ‘ah.'” Patients with ASD may open their mouth, say “ah,” and close it. These patients need direct instruction, preferably with a demonstration, describing how you want to look at their throat, so they should keep their mouth open and say “ah” while you look.