A nurse is caring for a 2-year-old child who is postoperative and experiencing pain. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Postoperative pain management in toddlers requires developmentally appropriate, non-pharmacological interventions alongside prescribed analgesics. At 2 years of age, children have limited cognitive ability to understand abstract explanations but respond well to play-based distraction techniques. Nursing care should focus on reducing anxiety, promoting comfort, and using simple, engaging strategies to redirect attention from pain. Therapeutic play is a key component of pediatric pain management. Rationale: A. Using bubbles to blow the hurt away is an appropriate distraction technique for a toddler because it engages breathing, focus, and play, which helps divert attention away from pain. This age group responds well to simple, imaginative activities that provide sensory engagement and emotional comfort. It is an effective non-pharmacologic pain management strategy. B. Developing a behavioral contract plan is inappropriate because toddlers do not have the cognitive development to understand rules, agreements, or delayed rewards. Behavioral contracts are more suitable for older children or adolescents who can comprehend expectations and consequences. This strategy would not be effective for a 2-year-old. C. Encouraging the child to remain calm and quiet is not effective pain management and may increase distress because toddlers are unable to cognitively regulate pain or emotions on command. Pain behaviors such as crying or movement are expected and should not be suppressed. Instead, comfort and distraction techniques should be used. D. Telling the parent to bounce the child softly on their knee may be unsafe in a postoperative child due to risk of pain exacerbation, wound disruption, or injury depending on the surgical site. While gentle comforting may be appropriate, active movement like bouncing may increase discomfort and is not a recommended pain relief strategy after surgery.