A mother brings her male preschooler to the clinic because he has had diarrhea, vomiting, and high fevers for the past three days. The child begins to cry and cling to his mother when the nurse enters the examination room. Which action should the nurse implement to get the child to cooperate?

A. Talk to the mother and gradually focus on the child's toy: Preschoolers often feel threatened by unfamiliar adults, especially when ill. By first engaging with the mother and then showing interest in the child’s toy, the nurse builds trust indirectly and reduces the child’s anxiety, promoting cooperation during the assessment. B. Request extra staff to help with the nursing assessments: Bringing additional staff may overwhelm or frighten the child further. Preschoolers respond better to a calm, gradual approach rather than an increase in the number of unfamiliar people in the room. C. Explain to the child the reasons an examination is needed: Preschoolers have limited understanding of illness and medical procedures. Detailed explanations are less effective than nonverbal reassurance and trust-building techniques, which are more appropriate for this developmental stage. D. Complete the assessment while allowing the child to cry: Forcing an assessment while the child is distressed can worsen fear and resistance. The nurse should first establish rapport and help the child feel secure before proceeding with the examination.