A nurse is collecting a health history from the guardian of a 4year old child. Which of the following statements by the guardian is the priority for the nurse to address?

A) Completely undress the toddler:
Completely undressing a toddler can cause unnecessary distress and anxiety, especially if they are not prepared for the examination. It’s more appropriate to undress the toddler only as needed for the physical exam and allow them to remain clothed or partially clothed whenever possible to help them feel secure.

B) Allow the toddler to handle the equipment:
Allowing a toddler to handle the medical equipment is an excellent way to reduce fear and anxiety. This familiarizes the child with the instruments and allows them to feel more in control of the situation. It also helps in building trust with the nurse, making the examination less intimidating for the toddler.

C) Start the examination with routine immunizations:
Immunizations can be particularly stressful for toddlers, so starting the examination with vaccines is not the best approach. It’s better to begin with non-invasive procedures, such as listening to the heart or measuring the toddler’s height and weight, to build rapport before proceeding to any painful procedures.

D) Thoroughly explain each procedure to the toddler:
While it’s important to explain the examination to the toddler in simple, age-appropriate language, toddlers typically have a limited understanding of detailed explanations. Over-explaining may increase anxiety. Instead, it's better to keep things brief and comforting, using simple phrases, and focus on creating a positive experience.

A) Assist the client with range-of-motion exercises of the hands:
This task is appropriate for the assistive personnel (AP) as it is a routine, non-invasive intervention that can help maintain mobility and prevent contractures in the hands. The AP can assist with range-of-motion exercises, following proper technique, and reporting any abnormalities to the nurse. This falls within the AP's scope of practice and can be delegated to them effectively.

B) Determine the circulation status of the affected extremities every hr:
Assessing circulation is a nursing responsibility and requires clinical judgment to identify signs of impaired circulation, such as color changes, pulse, or temperature of the skin. This task cannot be delegated to an AP, as it requires a nurse’s skill to interpret findings and take appropriate action.

C) Instruct the client's family about the purpose of mitten restraints:
Educating the client's family about the use of mitten restraints is a responsibility of the nurse, not the AP. This involves assessing the family’s understanding, providing relevant information, and answering any questions they may have. Only licensed healthcare professionals are responsible for providing education about the purpose and use of restraints.

D) Evaluate the need for the client to remain in mitten restraints:
Evaluating the necessity of restraints involves assessing the client's condition, safety, and overall care needs. This requires critical thinking and professional judgment and should be performed by the nurse, not the AP. The nurse must determine if the restraints continue to be necessary or if they can be removed, ensuring the client’s safety and dignity.