Free Care of the Hospitalised Child MCQs with Answers

• A. The child's favourite games and television shows
• B. The child's baseline health, allergies and current medicines
• C. The parents' preferred visiting hours and meal choices
• D. The child's usual bedtime and preferred sleeping position

Explanation: Baseline health, allergies and current medicines help the nurse identify immediate risks and prevent medication errors.

• A. Measure the dose using a household teaspoon
• B. Check the child's weight, allergy status and prescription
• C. Mix the medicine into the child's entire bottle of milk
• D. Ask the parent to identify the medicine before giving it

Explanation: Paediatric doses commonly depend on body weight, and allergy and prescription checks help prevent serious errors.

• A. Wait until the child reports severe pain
• B. Assess pain using an age-appropriate pain scale
• C. Offer food before discussing the child's pain
• D. Encourage the child to walk without analgesia

Explanation: The nurse should assess pain with a suitable scale, such as a faces scale, and then provide prescribed analgesia and comfort measures.

• A. Ask the parent to leave while the child is asleep
• B. Allow a familiar caregiver to stay and maintain routines
• C. Tell the child that crying will delay discharge
• D. Keep the child alone to encourage independence

Explanation: A familiar caregiver, consistent routines and honest explanations reduce the stress of separation.

• A. The child asks for a favourite toy
• B. The child has dry lips and wants water
• C. The child becomes drowsy with increasing chest retractions
• D. The child refuses the hospital meal

Explanation: Increasing chest retractions with drowsiness suggests worsening respiratory distress and possible hypoxia.

• A. Use simple explanations and offer a choice of position
• B. Promise that the procedure will not hurt at all
• C. Restrain the child immediately without explanation
• D. Ask the parent to leave during the procedure

Explanation: Simple honest explanations, comfort positioning and limited choices help the child feel some control and reduce fear.

• A. Offer small frequent meals and preferred nutritious foods
• B. Withhold all snacks until the child finishes a full meal
• C. Force the child to eat the prescribed meal quickly
• D. Give only clear fluids until the appetite returns

Explanation: Small frequent meals with nutritious familiar foods are often better tolerated than large meals.

• A. Wear gloves but omit hand hygiene after glove removal
• B. Perform hand hygiene before and after every patient contact
• C. Place used nappies on the bedside table temporarily
• D. Use the same thermometer for several children without cleaning it

Explanation: Hand hygiene before and after patient contact is the main measure for reducing transmission of infection.

• A. Question the caregiver in front of the child immediately
• B. Document objective findings and report concerns through safeguarding policy
• C. Ignore the findings because family discipline is private
• D. Ask the child to investigate and explain the caregiver's behaviour

Explanation: Possible abuse requires objective documentation and prompt reporting through the hospital safeguarding pathway.

• A. I will stop the medicine when my child feels better
• B. I will use the household spoon for each dose
• C. I will give each dose as prescribed and complete the course
• D. I will share the remaining medicine with a sibling

Explanation: The parent should give every dose as prescribed and complete the course unless the prescriber changes the plan.

• A. Use an adult cuff on the upper arm
• B. Use a cuff with a bladder too small
• C. Use a cuff covering the upper arm correctly
• D. Measure blood pressure over the clothing

Explanation: The cuff bladder should cover the appropriate proportion of the child’s upper arm and fit securely.

• A. The child has moist lips
• B. The child passes urine regularly
• C. The child develops increasing eyelid swelling
• D. The child sleeps after feeding

Explanation: New eyelid swelling may indicate fluid overload, especially in an infant receiving intravenous fluids.

• A. Compare the dose with the child’s weight
• B. Estimate the dose from the child’s age
• C. Use the dose prepared for an adult
• D. Round the dose to a convenient volume

Explanation: Paediatric doses are commonly prescribed according to body weight, so the nurse must compare the calculated dose with the prescription and…

• A. Tell the child that the procedure will not hurt
• B. Use simple words and allow limited choices
• C. Ask the parent to leave during the procedure
• D. Complete the procedure without explaining it

Explanation: Simple explanations and limited choices, such as which arm to use or which toy to hold, give the child a sense of control.

• A. Tell the child not to worry about the diagnosis
• B. Give an honest explanation using simple language
• C. Ask the parent to answer every health question
• D. Change the subject until the child stops asking

Explanation: Children have a right to information explained in a way they can understand.

• A. Ask the parent to observe silently
• B. Invite the parent to provide comfort if appropriate
• C. Prevent the parent from asking any questions
• D. Give all care without discussing it with the family

Explanation: Family-centred care includes the family in care decisions and supports their appropriate participation.

• A. A short picture book about hospital care
• B. A complex written explanation of the procedure
• C. A competitive board game with several rules
• D. A detailed discussion of possible complications

Explanation: Toddlers benefit from brief stories, demonstration and simple play using familiar objects.

• A. Place the child flat on the back
• B. Use a large amount of mouthwash
• C. Position the child to reduce aspiration risk
• D. Ask the child to rinse and spit independently

Explanation: An unconscious child cannot protect the airway or reliably spit out fluids, so positioning must reduce aspiration risk.

• A. Offer extra water when the child cries
• B. Record all oral and intravenous intake
• C. Leave a full water cup at the bedside
• D. Ask the family to estimate the child’s intake

Explanation: Accurate intake recording helps the team maintain the prescribed restriction and evaluate hydration.

• A. Confirm the caregiver’s plan and give emergency instructions
• B. Tell the caregiver to wait until the next clinic visit
• C. Advise giving food first and observing for one day
• D. Suggest contacting another family member before seeking help

Explanation: Breathing difficulty and unusual drowsiness may indicate serious deterioration and require urgent assessment.