A 14-year-old girl hospitalized in traction asks about visitors; which nursing action would best meet her psychosocial needs?

A 14-year-old girl hospitalized in traction asks about visitors; which nursing action would best meet her psychosocial needs?

• A. Let the child wear her own clothing when friends visit.
• B. Limit visitation to immediate family only.
• C. Encourage the child to stay in bed and minimize movement.
• D. Explain that visitors are not allowed during traction therapy

Answer: (A)

Adolescents in the hospital need to preserve autonomy, privacy, and social connections to cope with illness and treatment. Letting a 14-year-old in traction wear her own clothing when friends visit gives her a sense of normalcy and control over her environment, supports self-image, and fosters peer support—all of which are crucial for emotional well-being during a stressful hospitalization. Restricting visitors to immediate family only, encouraging staying in bed with minimal movement, or telling her that visitors are not allowed would undermine these psychosocial needs, increasing isolation and frustration without helping her rehab. Allowing appropriate social visitation with familiar clothing best meets her emotional and social needs.

Adolescents in the hospital need to preserve autonomy, privacy, and social connections to cope with illness and treatment. Letting a 14-year-old in traction wear her own clothing when friends visit gives her a sense of normalcy and control over her environment, supports self-image, and fosters peer support—all of which are crucial for emotional well-being during a stressful hospitalization.

Restricting visitors to immediate family only, encouraging staying in bed with minimal movement, or telling her that visitors are not allowed would undermine these psychosocial needs, increasing isolation and frustration without helping her rehab. Allowing appropriate social visitation with familiar clothing best meets her emotional and social needs.