Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

To connect with a 10-year-old child hospitalized in a psychiatric setting, what activity should the nurse engage in?

1. Playing a competitive board game

2. Singing songs

3. Reading stories together

4. Doing art projects

The correct answer is: Playing a competitive board game

Engaging in a competitive board game with a 10-year-old child in a psychiatric setting can be an effective means of building rapport and connection. Board games allow for interactions that can enhance communication, promote social skills, and encourage emotional expression. They offer a structured environment where the child can showcase their skills, follow rules, and experience both winning and losing in a safe and controlled manner. This type of activity can facilitate trust and help the nurse assess the child's behavior and emotional responses, giving insight into their mental state. While other activities like singing songs, reading stories together, and doing art projects can also foster connections, they may not provide the same level of engagement or insight into the child's competitive nature and coping strategies. For example, art projects may allow for creativity but may not promote interaction as directly as a board game. Similarly, singing and reading can be soothing and comforting but may not encourage the same level of cognitive engagement or social interaction that competitive games can foster. Therefore, playing a competitive board game stands out as a particularly interactive and insightful approach for connecting with the child.