A 4-year-old child has Down syndrome. The community health nurse has coordinated a special preschool program.

A 4-year-old child has Down syndrome. The community health nurse has coordinated a special preschool program.

The nurse’s primary goal is to:
A . Provide respite care for the mother
B . Facilitate optimal development
C . Provide a demanding and challenging educational program
D . Prepare child to enter mainstream education

View Answer

Answer: B

Explanation:

(A) Respite care for the family may be needed, but it is not the primary goal of a preschool program.

(B) Facilitation of optimal growth and development is essential for every child.

(C) A demanding and challenging educational program may predispose the child to failure. Children with retardation should begin with simple and challenging educational programs.

(D) Mental retardation associated with Down syndrome may not permit mainstream education. A preschool program’s primary goal is not preparation for mainstream education but continuation of optimal development.