A nurse is assessing the cognitive development of a preschooler. The nurse should expect the child to be in which of the following phases?

Choice A reason: Explaining procedures in detail to the child can be overwhelming and may not be effective, as children with autism spectrum disorder often have difficulty processing too much verbal information at once.

Choice B reason: Staying with the child for long periods of time is not specific to the care of a child with autism spectrum disorder and does not address their unique needs related to transitions or sensory processing.

Choice C reason: Introducing the child to new situations slowly is important because children with autism spectrum disorder may have difficulty with changes in routine or environment. Gradual introduction can help them adjust and reduce anxiety.

Choice D reason: Giving the child three options when making choices can be helpful, but it is not as critical as introducing new situations slowly. Too many choices can sometimes be overwhelming for children with autism spectrum disorder.

Choice A reason: Assessing vital signs every 4 hours is important, but it is not specific to the care of an infant post-cardiac catheterization. Vital signs should be monitored according to the infant's condition and hospital policy.

Choice B reason: Monitoring the color of the affected extremity is crucial after cardiac catheterization to ensure there is no compromise in blood flow, which could indicate a vascular injury or thrombosis at the catheterization site.

Choice C reason: Maintaining NPO (nothing by mouth) status for 8 hours may be necessary before the procedure, but post-catheterization care typically includes gradual reintroduction of fluids and then food as tolerated.

Choice D reason: Keeping the affected extremity flexed is not recommended post-cardiac catheterization. The limb should be kept straight to avoid bending at the catheterization site, which could lead to bleeding or clot formation.