A nurse is preparing to perform a dressing change on a preschooler. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to prepare the child for the procedure?

Rationale: A. Limit teaching sessions about the procedure to 20 min: Preschoolers have short attention spans, but 20 minutes is still too long for teaching at this developmental stage. Teaching should be concise and focused, ideally lasting only a few minutes just before the procedure. B. Explain in simple terms how the procedure will affect the child: Preschoolers benefit from clear, age-appropriate explanations that help them understand what to expect. Using simple language and concrete terms reduces fear and builds trust with the nurse. C. Ask the parents to wait outside the room during the procedure: Parents often provide comfort and reassurance during stressful experiences. Unless they are interfering or the child requests otherwise, their presence can help reduce the child’s anxiety. D. Instruct the child in deep-breathing methods prior to the procedure: While relaxation techniques are helpful for older children, preschoolers may have difficulty understanding and following deep-breathing instructions. Simple distraction methods are often more effective.