A nurse is caring for a 4-year-old child who has a new diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and is distressed after an insulin injection. Which of the following play activities should the nurse recognize is therapeutic in helping the child deal with the injection?

Choice A reason: A storybook about diabetes educates but does not directly address injection-related distress. It may improve understanding but lacks hands-on engagement to desensitize the child to needles, which is critical for reducing fear and anxiety associated with the physical act of injections. Choice B reason: A video game distracts but does not therapeutically address injection distress. It engages the child cognitively but fails to provide a mechanism to process or practice the injection experience, which is necessary to reduce fear and build coping skills for treatment. Choice C reason: A needleless syringe and doll allow the child to role-play injections, desensitizing them to the procedure. This therapeutic play mimics the injection process, reducing fear by familiarizing the child with the equipment and action, promoting emotional coping and procedural acceptance in a safe, controlled way. Choice D reason: General play in a playroom provides distraction and socialization but does not specifically address injection-related anxiety. While beneficial for overall well-being, it lacks the targeted therapeutic effect of role-playing injections, which directly helps the child process and manage their specific fear.