A 10-year-old child in whom autism was diagnosed at the age of 3 years attends a school for developmentally disabled children an
d lives with parents. The child has frequent episodes of self-biting and head-banging and needs help with feeding and toileting. What is the priority nursing goal for this child?
The priority is safety; the child must be protected from self-harm. Repetitive behaviors are comforting, and unless they are harmful their limitation is not a priority. Although feeding independently is a basic need that may be achieved, it is not the priority. Children who need help with toileting are not necessarily incontinent, and it is not the priority.
