After assessing a school-aged child's knowledge about diabetes, what is the next step for the nurse?

After assessing a school-aged child's knowledge about diabetes, developing a sequence of goals with the child and parents is a crucial next step. This approach ensures that care is tailored to the child's unique needs, capabilities, and understanding of their condition. Setting goals collaboratively fosters a sense of ownership and motivation in the child, encouraging them to engage actively in their diabetes management.

By involving the parents in this process, the nurse can ensure that parents understand their role in supporting their child, thereby strengthening the overall care plan. Goal setting also allows for the creation of realistic and measurable objectives, which can guide future teaching and interventions. This collaboration with both the child and parents is essential for creating a supportive environment that empowers the child to take control of their health.

In contrast, teaching the child how to perform blood glucose testing or instructing them on insulin administration, while important, is more effective when there is a clear understanding of the child's existing knowledge and readiness to learn. Establishing a trusting relationship is foundational, but it typically precedes and supports the goal-setting process rather than following after knowledge assessment. Therefore, developing a sequence of goals is a logical and effective progression in the care of a child with diabetes.