A guardian of a child with juvenile idiopathic arthritis asks about discharge. Which statement indicates understanding?

• A. I will have my child sleep in knee, wrist, and hand splints
• B. I will avoid using splints at night
• C. I will remove splints during daytime activities
• D. I will only wear splints if pain worsens

Answer: (A)

Managing juvenile idiopathic arthritis focuses on preserving joint motion and preventing deformities. Using splints at night helps keep affected joints—like the knee, wrist, and hand—in a position that reduces inflammation-related stiffness and protects alignment during rest. This continuous support during sleep can lessen morning stiffness and slow contracture formation, supporting better function during the day. So stating that the child will sleep in knee, wrist, and hand splints shows understanding of how nighttime immobilization can be beneficial and is part of typical discharge guidance. Statements that avoid nighttime splinting, remove splints during daytime activities, or require splints only when pain worsens don’t align with the goal of maintaining ROM and preventing deformities.