1. The nurse is caring for a 4-year-old with cerebral palsy. Which nursing intervention will help ready the child for rehabilitative services? Mark one answer: Patching one of the eyes to strengthen the muscles Providing suckers and pinwheels to help strengthen tongue movement Providing musical tapes to provide auditory training Encouraging play with a video game to improve muscle coordination
The nursing intervention that would help ready the 4-year-old child with cerebral palsy for rehabilitative services is encouraging play with a video game to improve muscle coordination.
Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture. It is caused by damage to the developing brain, often before birth. The severity and symptoms of cerebral palsy can vary greatly from person to person, but it commonly affects muscle control and coordination.
Rehabilitative services play a crucial role in helping individuals with cerebral palsy improve their physical abilities, maximize independence, and enhance their overall quality of life. These services can include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, among others.
In the case of the 4-year-old child with cerebral palsy, encouraging play with a video game can serve as an effective nursing intervention to improve muscle coordination. Video games that require physical movements and interactions can help stimulate and strengthen the child’s muscles, as well as enhance their hand-eye coordination and motor skills.
Through playing a video game, the child can engage in activities that target specific muscles and body movements. For example, games that involve virtual sports or dance routines can require the child to perform various movements, such as kicking, jumping, and reaching, thereby promoting muscle coordination and strength. The repetitive nature of playing video games can also aid in muscle memory and the development of fine motor skills.
Moreover, video games can provide a motivating and enjoyable environment for the child to engage in rehabilitative activities. Children are often more willing to participate in therapy when it is presented in a fun and interactive manner, and video games provide this element of excitement. By incorporating play and enjoyment into the therapy process, the child may be more likely to actively participate and invest effort in improving their muscle coordination.
However, it is essential to note that the use of video games as a nursing intervention for rehabilitation in cerebral palsy should be appropriately guided and supervised by healthcare professionals. The selection of video games and the activities within them should be tailored to the child’s individual needs and goals. Additionally, proper ergonomic considerations should be taken into account to ensure that the child maintains correct postures and movements while playing the games.
In summary, encouraging play with a video game can be a valuable nursing intervention for preparing a 4-year-old child with cerebral palsy for rehabilitative services. By engaging in video game activities that target specific movements and muscles, the child can improve their muscle coordination, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor skills. Furthermore, the enjoyable and motivating nature of video games can encourage active participation and enhance the child’s overall experience with therapy. However, it is important to ensure that video game-based therapy is appropriately guided and supervised by healthcare professionals to maximize its benefits and minimize potential risks.