Pediatric ATI Practice Exam

What should a nurse instruct parents regarding booster seat usage for preschoolers?

1. Ensure the seat belt fits across the child's abdomen

2. Use a no-back booster seat if there are no head rests

3. Discontinue the booster seat at 135 cm height

4. Secure the child using the shoulder-lap seat belt

The correct answer is: Secure the child using the shoulder-lap seat belt

When instructing parents about booster seat usage for preschoolers, it’s essential to emphasize the importance of using both the shoulder and lap sections of the seat belt. Securing the child with a shoulder-lap seat belt ensures that the restraint system is effective and conforms to safety standards. This type of seat belt helps to distribute the forces of a crash over the strongest parts of the child's body, reducing the risk of injury. The lap portion of the seat belt should fit snugly across the child’s upper thighs, while the shoulder strap should cross the middle of the chest and shoulder, preventing the child from being ejected from the vehicle in case of a collision. Proper use of the seat belt is crucial for preschoolers, as they are still developing physically and may not be restrained adequately in an adult seat belt alone without the proper positioning provided by a booster seat. In terms of other options, ensuring that the seat belt fits across the child’s abdomen is not recommended, as this could pose a risk of injuries to internal organs in the event of an accident. A no-back booster seat should only be used if vehicle seat backs offer enough support; a back is preferable for proper positioning. Lastly, height restrictions for discontinuing the booster seat are based on safety