When assessing an 18-month-old toddler, the nurse would expect the child to be able to:

A. Provide activities for the sibling to do at home: While providing activities can be a good way to engage the sibling and offer a distraction, it may not address their need for understanding and emotional support. Answering questions and providing information about the condition is more directly beneficial in this context.

B. Avoid interruptions by coordinating using actions: This option is not clear and may not directly address the social support needs of the sibling. It's important to have open communication and address their concerns rather than coordinating actions to avoid interruptions.

C. Answer questions honestly and clearly.

In a situation where a 10-year-old sibling of a child with a complex chronic condition needs social support, providing honest and clear answers to their questions is essential. It's important to address their concerns and provide information in an age-appropriate manner. Children can feel anxious or confused when a sibling has a complex chronic condition, and providing honest and clear answers helps them understand the situation better and reduces their anxiety.

D. Encourage the sibling to write in a journal: While journaling can be a helpful coping strategy, it may not be the most immediate response to their social support needs. Answering questions and providing emotional support should come first.

A. Engaging the child in games with other children is important for social development, but it depends on the child's individual readiness and comfort level with social interactions. It's crucial to consider the child's temperament and developmental stage.

B. Encourage the child to feed himself finger foods.

At 18 months of age, children are typically developing their fine motor skills and independence. Encouraging self-feeding with finger foods is a developmentally appropriate activity. It promotes independence, fine motor skill development, and a positive feeding experience.

C. Allowing the child to walk independently on the nursing unit is appropriate if the child is developmentally ready and safe to do so. It promotes gross motor skill development and independence.

D. Holding and cuddling the child often is important for emotional and social development. However, the frequency and style of interaction should be individualized based on the child's preferences and needs. Some children may prefer more independence at this age.