3-year-old child who had been toilet trained starts bedwetting after hospitalization. Which statement best de… - NORCET 10 Prelims-2026

NORCET 10 Prelims-2026

Child Health Nursing (Pediatrics)

Medium

Appeared in: NORCET 10 Prelims-2026

Explanation

Regression is a common defense mechanism in children when faced with significant stress, such as hospitalization.
It involves reverting to an earlier, more comfortable stage of development.
The loss of a previously mastered skill, like toilet training, after a stressful event is a classic example of regression.
This phenomenon is also known as secondary enuresis, which is incontinence in a child who has been dry for at least six months.

Option A: This is incorrect because the question states the child had already been successfully toilet trained, meaning the training was effective before the hospitalization.
Option C: Developmental delay refers to a child not achieving developmental milestones at the expected age. This child had already achieved the milestone of toilet training.
Option D: While a UTI can cause a sudden onset of enuresis, the direct link to a significant psychological stressor (hospitalization) makes regression the most probable cause.

Visual 1: Flowchart: Stressful Event (Hospitalization) → Psychological Distress → Coping Mechanism (Regression) → Behavioral Change (Bedwetting). This visual helps illustrate the cause-and-effect relationship described in the question.
Visual 2: Infographic: Comparing Regression vs. Developmental Delay. This would visually contrast the loss of an acquired skill (regression) with the failure to meet a milestone on time (delay).

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Regression as a coping mechanism in children following a stressful event as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must educate parents that regression is a normal, temporary response to stress and not a behavioral problem or failure in parenting.
The primary nursing approach is to provide emotional support to the child and family, avoid punishment, and focus on reducing the child's anxiety.
It is crucial to rule out physiological causes like a UTI if the regression persists long after the stressful event has resolved.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key elements of the scenario: a young child (3 years old), a previously mastered skill (toilet trained), a significant event (hospitalization), and a resulting behavior change (bedwetting).
Analyze the relationship between the event and the behavior. The bedwetting started after the hospitalization, suggesting a causal link.
Evaluate the options based on this link. 'Regression due to hospitalization' directly connects the stressful event to the behavioral change.
Consider the definitions of the other options. 'Ineffective toilet training' is contradicted by the fact the child was trained. 'Developmental delay' is about not meeting milestones, not losing them.
Rule out or deprioritize other causes. While a UTI is a possible medical cause for bedwetting, the strong psychological context in the question makes regression the 'best' description.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Regression as a coping mechanism in children following a stressful event.
Stem keywords: 3-year-old child, toilet trained, bedwetting, hospitalization
Lead-in keywords: best describes
Clinical cues: The child was previously toilet trained, indicating a loss of an acquired skill.
Clinical cues: The onset of bedwetting occurred after a specific stressor (hospitalization).

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