Which is the priority nursing intervention for the family of a child who has been admitted to the hospital?

Which is the priority nursing intervention for the family of a child who has been admitted to the hospital?

a.
Begin discharge teaching.
b.
Identify and mobilize internal and external strengths.
c.
Identify ways in which the family could have prevented their child’s hospitalization.
d.
Instruct the parents on normal growth and development.

ANS: B

Family interventions should be directed toward enhancing positive coping strategies and directing the family to appropriate resources. Although discharge teaching is begun as soon as possible, it is ineffective if trust has not been established with the parents or if the level of stress precludes learning. By identifying weaknesses instead of focusing on strengths, the family’s anxiety and feelings of powerlessness or guilt may increase. Normal growth and development should be interwoven into teaching; however, teaching cannot take place until the parents have less stress and are open to information.