Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN)

What is likely to cause the greatest fear for a 7-year-old admitted for treatment of osteomyelitis?

1. Oral medications

2. A visit from the doctor

3. Having her mother leave for a few minutes

4. Rectal temperature

The correct answer is: Rectal temperature

In the context of a 7-year-old admitted for treatment of osteomyelitis, the greatest fear is likely to stem from the experience that involves a level of invasiveness, discomfort, or a strong sense of vulnerability. Taking a rectal temperature can be particularly anxiety-inducing for a child at this age, as it is an invasive procedure that they might not fully understand. Children often feel more secure when procedures are less invasive or when they have their parent present. The experience of having a rectal temperature taken is associated with a loss of privacy and can provoke fear of pain or embarrassment, thereby heightening the child’s anxiety. In contrast, oral medications, a visit from the doctor, or a brief separation from a parent, while they may cause some level of concern, do not typically carry the same intensity of fear as an invasive procedure like a rectal temperature check. Therefore, the invasive nature and potential discomfort associated with measuring temperature in this way are likely to be the main source of fear for the child.