A nurse knows operant conditioning is part of the treatment plan to encourage speech in a child who is nearly mute. Which technique should the nurse apply?

Choice A reason: Including the child in group activities promotes socialization but is not operant conditioning, which uses rewards to reinforce specific behaviors like speech. This approach lacks direct reinforcement, making it ineffective for the targeted behavior, thus incorrect. Choice B reason: Observing others talking may model behavior but is not operant conditioning, which requires direct reinforcement of the desired action (speech). Passive observation does not provide the reward structure needed to encourage speech, making this choice incorrect. Choice C reason: Operant conditioning uses positive reinforcement, like giving a treat for speaking, to increase the desired behavior. This directly rewards the child’s speech, aligning with behavioral psychology principles to encourage verbalization, making this the correct choice. Choice D reason: Relaxation techniques address anxiety but are not operant conditioning, which focuses on reinforcing specific behaviors with rewards. They do not directly encourage speech, making this choice incorrect for the behavioral approach specified in the treatment plan.