The nurse is administering multiple prescribed vaccines to a toddler. Which strategy should the nurse prioritize to reduce the duration of pain?

A. Supine positioning: While positioning may help comfort the child, it does not directly reduce the pain associated with vaccinations. The focus should be on strategies that address pain management during the procedure. B. Verbal reassurance: Verbal reassurance is helpful for reducing anxiety, but it may not be enough to reduce the pain during the injection. The toddler may not fully understand verbal comfort in a way that would minimize discomfort. C. Physical soothing: Physical soothing, such as holding or rocking the child, may help calm the toddler, but it does not directly reduce the pain associated with receiving multiple injections. It can, however, provide emotional comfort. D. Simultaneous injections: Administering multiple injections at once (if prescribed and safe to do so) can reduce the overall duration of pain, as it minimizes the number of needle sticks. This approach allows for the vaccines to be given quickly, reducing the time the child is experiencing discomfort.