Which age group has the greatest potential to demonstrate regression when they are sick?

Toddlers have the greatest potential for regression when they are sick. Regression, for the uninitiated, means that they stop acting their age and act younger. Since a toddler is still learning how to deal with stress and illness, they may fall back on “simpler times” when they didn’t have to worry about anything when they are ill. They may stop using the bathroom and need diapers while their sick or cry more often instead of using their words.

This is because, as previous answers have stated, a toddler is still learning to deal with their new skills and what happens when they’re sick or stressed. It will end, but they may need a loving nudge while they’re sick to keep using the bathroom or to use their words.

The answer is toddler in any other NCLEX book. Toddlers are more prone to regression when they are sick due to having a new grasp on skills and development, rather than an infant who is starting from 0. An infant can regress slightly, but not as much as a toddler can. A toddler, who usually becomes potty trained from 18-24 months, can regress to a state where they are incontinent and not potty trained when sick or dealing with stress. An infant on the other hand, cannot regain simple reflexes. The only regression an infant can really do is stop walking at 12 months and begin crawling again. The answer is Toddler.