To ease a child's fear during a medical exam, a medical assistant can:

• A. Discourage the parent from being present during the exam.
• B. Explain the procedure in simple, reassuring language appropriate for the child's age.
• C. Ignore the child's concerns to avoid drawing attention to their fear.
• D. Rush through the exam to finish as quickly as possible.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the importance of addressing a child's fear during a medical exam. Recognize that children often feel anxious or scared in unfamiliar medical settings, and their emotional comfort can impact the success of the exam.
2. Step 2: Evaluate the options given for easing the child's fear. Consider why discouraging the parent's presence might increase anxiety, as parents often provide comfort and security to the child.
3. Step 3: Reflect on the role of communication. Explaining the procedure in simple, reassuring language appropriate for the child's age helps the child understand what to expect, reducing uncertainty and fear.
4. Step 4: Consider why ignoring the child's concerns or rushing through the exam might be counterproductive. These approaches can increase the child's anxiety and reduce trust in the medical assistant.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the best approach is to use age-appropriate explanations to reassure the child, thereby easing their fear and facilitating a smoother medical exam.