A nurse is providing care to a school-aged child who has uncontrolled asthma. The child's parent does not seem engaged in the child's treatment during the hospitalization and states that the child manages their care with little assistance from them. Which of the following nursing interventions is most appropriate?
Explanation & Rationale
A. Print out a copy of the asthma action plan and thoroughly review it with the child and the school nurse prior to discharge. While an asthma action plan is essential, it is not sufficient if the parent is not actively engaged. The parent also needs education and support to properly manage the child's condition at home. B. Write out a detailed schedule of the child's medications and a list of their healthcare providers’ addresses and phone numbers in case they should need it. Providing a medication schedule is helpful, but it does not address the root issue—parental disengagement. Simply handing out information does not ensure the parent understands or feels empowered to manage the child's asthma. C. Empower the child's parent to help manage the asthma by offering comprehensive education on the condition, treatment plan, and managing potential complications at home. Parental education and engagement are crucial for managing uncontrolled asthma. Offering clear explanations, demonstrating medication use (such as inhalers and spacers), and discussing signs of worsening asthma can help the parent feel more confident and involved in their child’s care. D. Contact child protective services to intervene in the family since the child's parent does not seem adequately prepared to manage the client's illness at home. CPS involvement is not appropriate unless there are signs of medical neglect (e.g., refusal to seek care, persistent non-adherence). In this case, the best first step is education and support to encourage parental involvement.