Which statement best differentiates anticipatory guidance from coping strategies in hospital care?

• A. Both are about medical procedures
• B. Anticipatory guidance informs what to expect; coping strategies are tools to manage anxiety during care
• C. Coping strategies determine care
• D. Anticipatory guidance is for parents only

Answer: (B)

Anticipatory guidance is about giving information ahead of time—helping families know what to expect during hospital care, including what procedures may involve, typical timelines, who will be present, and potential sensations or reactions. It reduces uncertainty and helps both child and family prepare for what lies ahead.

Coping strategies are the practical tools used during care to manage distress in the moment. They include techniques like breathing exercises, distraction, comfort positioning, or parental presence and soothing interactions that help the child tolerate procedures and reduce anxiety.

So, the best statement captures that anticipatory guidance informs what to expect, while coping strategies are tools to manage anxiety during care. The other options don’t fit because anticipatory guidance isn’t limited to medical procedures, coping strategies don’t determine care, and anticipatory guidance isn’t exclusively for parents.