Atraumatic Care Flashcards

Atraumatic Care Principles

• Atraumatic Care aims to reduce psychological and physical distress in children and families within healthcare settings.
• Based on the principle of "do no harm," ensuring the least invasive care approach possible.
• Family-centered care emphasizes the family's role as primary support for the child.

Stressors in Pediatric Care

• Siblings may experience stressors such as jealousy, sadness, insecurity, resentment, confusion, and anxiety.
• Parents can feel guilt, denial, anger, depression, marital strain, and financial burden during their child's healthcare journey.

Core Principles of Atraumatic Care

• Focus on preventing or minimizing stressors for the child and family.
• Reduce or eliminate separation between the child and parents.
• Foster a sense of control for the child and their family within the healthcare environment.

Techniques for Minimizing Stress

• Use non-invasive techniques to avoid painful procedures.
• Reduce environmental stressors (noise, bad odors).
• Manage pain effectively before, during, and after procedures.

Family Engagement Strategies

• Promote family-centered approaches to keep the family unit together.
• Educate parents and involve them in their child's care.
• Maintain familiar routines to give children a sense of normalcy.

Role of Child Life Specialists

• Child life specialists support children and their families during hospitalization, focusing on coping strategies for illness and disability.
• They offer resources and information to family members such as parents and siblings.

Managing Physical Stressors

• Utilize distractions, therapeutic hugging, and play during procedures.
• Comfort children post-procedure to alleviate any subsequent distress.

Developmental Considerations

• Children's reactions to hospitalization depend on their developmental stage, affecting their ability to understand and cope.
• Newborns may exhibit stranger anxiety and rely heavily on non-verbal cues for pain.
• Toddlers experience separation anxiety and may not understand medical procedures.

Separation Anxiety Stages

• Protest: Child expresses discomfort vocally and physically.
• Despair: Withdrawal and sadness occur as the child feels abandoned.
• Detachment: The child seems to adjust but loses interest in their parents, a stage to be avoided.

Age-Specific Safety and Care Considerations

• Infants require close supervision and comfort, with safety measures in the sleeping environment.
• Toddlers should be encouraged to play and participate in choices, with safety precautions against wandering.
• Preschoolers benefit from simple explanations and play to alleviate fears and maintain routines.
• School-aged children need opportunities for control over their care and may prefer engagements with peers.
• Adolescents value privacy, social interaction, and understanding their medical situation, making emotional support vital.

Postoperative and Preoperative Care

• Preoperative teaching may involve demonstrations with dolls to alleviate fear.
• Postoperative care includes monitoring vital signs, maintaining airway clearance, and ensuring pain relief.

Importance of Play Therapy

• Different play forms provide essential emotional outlets and education:
  • Unstructured play offers leisure.
  • Nursing care play engages children in their treatment.
  • Therapeutic play educates and demystifies medical procedures.

Community Based Nursing

• Focuses on wellness and preventive care, allowing children with chronic conditions to receive home-based care.
• Nurses engage in various functions such as education, case management, and advocacy.

Individualized Health Plans (IHP) and IEPs

• An IHP (individualized health plan) is developed for children with specific health needs, ensuring care instructions are followed in schools.
• IEPs (individualized education plans) cater specifically to children with learning disabilities.