Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN)

How can you best help a fearful 3-year-old during a medical assessment?

1. Save uncomfortable procedures until the end

2. Have the child hold onto a favorite stuffed animal

3. Encourage the child to take the stuffed bear's blood pressure

4. Attempt to perform assessment while the child is asleep

The correct answer is: Encourage the child to take the stuffed bear's blood pressure

Having the child hold onto a favorite stuffed animal is an effective strategy to comfort a fearful 3-year-old during a medical assessment because it provides emotional support and a sense of security. Familiar objects, like a beloved stuffed animal, can help reduce anxiety and create a more positive environment for the child. This approach allows the child to feel more at ease and may encourage cooperation during the assessment. Engaging the child in a playful manner by allowing them to participate or interact with the stuffed bear, such as taking its blood pressure, can also be beneficial. This method takes the focus off the procedures the child might find intimidating and transforms the experience into a more manageable and fun activity. It fosters a sense of control and involvement, which can significantly lessen fear and anxiety regarding the medical process. Other strategies, such as saving uncomfortable procedures until the end, while well-intentioned, might lead to prolonged anxiety about what is to come. Attempting to perform the assessment while the child is asleep overlooks the need for building rapport and trust with the child. Instead, using a comforting item and engaging the child in a light-hearted way promotes a more positive experience during the assessment.