Which action by a nurse best supports an adolescent in prolonged hospitalization?

Which action by a nurse best supports an adolescent in prolonged hospitalization?

• A. Let the adolescent wear their own clothing when friends visit.
• B. Deny all visitors to provide rest.
• C. Encourage only family discussions about care.
• D. Limit information about school and friends to reduce anxiety

Answer: (A)

Adolescents benefit from maintaining peer connections and a sense of autonomy during a long hospital stay. Letting them wear their own clothing when friends visit helps preserve their normal identity and social life, making the hospital experience feel less isolating and more like part of their everyday world. Denying visitors takes away crucial support and can heighten loneliness. Limiting discussions to family or restricting information about school and friends reduces their sense of control and can increase anxiety. By allowing comfortable clothing and external social contact, the nurse supports the adolescent’s emotional well-being and coping during hospitalization.

Adolescents benefit from maintaining peer connections and a sense of autonomy during a long hospital stay. Letting them wear their own clothing when friends visit helps preserve their normal identity and social life, making the hospital experience feel less isolating and more like part of their everyday world. Denying visitors takes away crucial support and can heighten loneliness. Limiting discussions to family or restricting information about school and friends reduces their sense of control and can increase anxiety. By allowing comfortable clothing and external social contact, the nurse supports the adolescent’s emotional well-being and coping during hospitalization.