A mother brings her 28-month-old daughter into the clinic for a well-child visit. At the beginning of the visit, the nurse focuses attention away from the toddler, but as the interview progresses, the toddler begins to "warm up" and is smiling shyly at the nurse. The nurse will be most successful in interacting with the toddler if which is done next?

A) Tickle the toddler, and get her to laugh.
B) Stoop down to her level, and ask her about the toy she is holding.
C) Continue to ignore her until it is time for the physical examination.
D) Ask the mother to leave during the examination of the toddler, because toddlers often fuss less if their parent is not in view.

Although most of the communication is with the parent, the nurse should not completely ignore the child. Making contact will help ease the toddler later during the physical examination. The nurse should begin by asking about the toys the child is playing with or about a special doll or teddy bear brought from home. "Does your doll have a name?" or "What can your truck do?" Stoop down to meet the child at his or her eye level. Although making contact with the toddler will help ease him/her later during the physical examination, the nurse should begin by asking about the toys the child is playing with or about a special doll or teddy bear brought from home before touching or tickling them. Children are frightened by quick or grandiose gestures. The nurse should not completely ignore the child as making contact will help ease the toddler later during the physical examination. The nurse should not ask the mother to leave during the examination as that will cause anxiety for the toddler.