A newborn is suspected of having cystic fibrosis. As the child is being prepared for transfer to a pediatric hospital, the mother asks the nurse which symptoms made the practitioner suspect cystic fibrosis. Which response by the nurse is the most appropriate?

Choice A reason: School-age children, typically between the ages of 6 and 12, begin to understand the finality of death. They can grasp that death is irreversible and permanent, affecting all living beings.

Choice B reason: Preschool-age children often perceive death as a temporary or reversible state. They may not fully comprehend its permanence until they are older.

Choice C reason: Toddlers are too young to understand complex concepts like the permanence of death. Their cognitive development at this stage is focused on more concrete and immediate experiences.

Choice D reason: By adolescence, individuals have a clear understanding of the permanence of death, but this awareness typically develops during the school-age years. Adolescents may explore more complex ideas about life and death, but the basic understanding of permanence is already established.

Choice A reason: Keeping alarm levels low is important to reduce stress and promote a healing environment, but it is not the most impactful intervention for personalized care.

Choice B reason: Dimming the lights at night helps maintain a normal sleep-wake cycle, which is beneficial but not as specific to the client's individual needs as continuity of care.

Choice C reason: Having the same nurses care for the patient on consecutive days can provide consistency and build trust, which is especially important for a child in critical condition.

Choice D reason: While visits from school friends can be uplifting, they may not be feasible or appropriate for a client in critical condition in the PICU. The priority is ensuring stable and consistent care.