A nurse is caring for a preschooler who is in an acute care facility.
Which of the following should the nurse identify as an expected behavior of a preschool-aged child?

Choice A rationale

Understanding the cause of illness is a complex cognitive task that typically develops later in childhood. Preschool-aged children are still developing their understanding of cause and effect, and their thinking is often more concrete than abstract.

Choice B rationale

Describing manifestations of illness is also a complex task that requires a certain level of cognitive and language development. While preschool-aged children are developing their language skills rapidly, their ability to describe complex phenomena such as the manifestations of illness is still developing.

Choice C rationale

Awareness of body functioning is a concept that typically develops later in childhood. Preschool-aged children are still learning about their bodies and how they work. Their understanding of body functioning is often concrete and based on what they can see and feel.

Choice D rationale

Relating fears to magical thinking is a characteristic of preschool-aged children’s cognitive development. At this age, children’s thinking is often dominated by fantasy and magic. They may attribute events or experiences to magical causes, and their fears may be related to these magical beliefs.