The Child Experience During Hospitalization

Interdisciplinary Plan of Care

• Care Plan: An interdisciplinary plan of care outlines the complete treatment plan for a patient's hospitalization. It coordinates input from various healthcare professionals, such as doctors, nurses, and therapists.

Comfort and Security

• Transitional Object: A transitional object provides comfort and security to a child during hospitalization. It can be a familiar item like a blanket, stuffed animal, or toy.

Separation Anxiety

• Peak Age: The most pronounced age for separation anxiety to occur in infants is between 6 and 30 months of age.

Childhood Regression

• Regression: This term describes when a child's behavior reverts to earlier stages of development due to the stress of hospitalization. For example, a potty-trained child may start wetting the bed again.

Anxiety and Separation

• Separation Anxiety: This term describes the anxiety a child experiences when separated from their primary caregiver.

Emancipated Minor

• Emancipated Minor: An emancipated minor is a person under 18 years of age who has been legally declared an adult. They have the same legal rights and responsibilities as adults.

Transitional Object and Preparation

• Transitional Object: A transitional object can be used to prepare a child for treatment. It can help them feel more secure and less anxious about the procedure.

Toddler Reactions

• Toddlers: Toddlers often experience separation anxiety during hospitalization. Their response may include crying, tantrums, clinginess, and refusal to eat or sleep.

Factors Not Influencing Reaction

• Cultural Background: A child's cultural background is not typically a factor in their reaction to hospitalization.

Preparing School-Aged Children

• School-Aged Children: School-aged children should be prepared for medical procedures by providing age-appropriate explanations, allowing them to ask questions, and using pictures or videos.

Pediatric Hospital Unit

• Pediatric Hospital Unit: A pediatric hospital unit designed specifically for children often features colorful decorations, toys, and play areas to create a more welcoming and less intimidating atmosphere.

Despair Stage

• Despair Stage: During the despair stage of separation anxiety, a child may become withdrawn, quiet, and apathetic. They may have difficulty engaging in activities.

Pain Definition

• Pain Definition: Pain in pediatric care is defined as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage.

Pain Assessment

• FLACC Scale: The FLACC scale is specifically designed to assess pain in nonverbal children by observing their facial expressions, leg movements, activity, cry, and consolability.

Acetaminophen Dosage

• Acetaminophen Dosage: The maximum dosage of acetaminophen for infants and children is 15 mg/kg every 4-6 hours.

Nonpharmacological Pain Relief

• Nonpharmacological Pain Relief: Nonpharmacological techniques can enhance pain relief for children. Common techniques include distraction, relaxation, imagery, and music therapy.

Drug Elimination

• Infant Drug Elimination: Infants' bodies eliminate drugs more slowly than adults due to immature liver function.

Patient-Controlled Analgesia

• Patient-Controlled Analgesia: Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is used to allow children to self-administer pain medication as needed.

FLACC Scale

• FLACC Scale: The FLACC scale assesses pain in children by observing their facial expressions, leg movements, activity, cry, and consolability.

Pain Relief Medication

• Pain Relief Medication: Morphine, a common pain relief medication, should be administered with stool softeners to prevent constipation.

Separation Anxiety Behavior

• Separation Anxiety Behavior: A child showing signs of distress when separated from their parent, such as crying, clinging, and refusing to be comforted by others, is a clear indication of separation anxiety.

Addressing Regression

• Addressing Regression: Using punishment or scolding a child for exhibiting regressive behavior during hospitalization is not effective.

Sibling Anxiety

• Sibling Anxiety: Nurses can lessen anxiety for siblings of a hospitalized child by involving them in the care process, providing information about their sibling's illness, and allowing them to visit the hospitalized child.

Pediatric Patient Admission

• Admission Priorities: When admitting a new pediatric patient, nurses should prioritize establishing a safe environment, determining the child's medical needs, and comforting the child and family.

Pediatric Nursing Care Plan

• Nursing Care Plan: The development of a pediatric nursing care plan is essential to provide individualized care that considers the child's developmental stage, age, and specific needs.

Maintaining Trust

• Maintaining Trust: To help a hospitalized toddler maintain trust, nurses should provide consistent care, follow routines, and avoid making sudden changes.

Medical Procedure Explanations

• Preschoolers: When explaining medical procedures to preschool-aged children, nurses should use simple language, pictures, and play-based activities.

Infant Care Considerations

• Infants: When caring for infants in the hospital, nurses should prioritize providing a safe and nurturing environment, supporting the infant's developmental needs, and encouraging parent involvement.

Toddler Goals

• Toddler Goals: A goal for the nursing care of hospitalized toddlers is NOT to teach them independence. Toddlers benefit from routines and consistency during this time.

Clinical Pathway vs. Nursing Care Plan

• Clinical Pathway vs. Nursing Care Plan: A clinical pathway provides a standardized, multidisciplinary approach to care, while a nursing care plan outlines individualized nursing interventions for a specific patient's needs.

Nurse Role in Hospitalization

• Nurse Role: The primary role of a nurse toward a child during hospitalization is to advocate for the child's well-being, provide safe and compassionate care, and support the child and family.

Cultural Responses

• Cultural Responses: Cultural beliefs and practices can significantly influence a family's responses to hospitalization.

Personal Space

• Personal Space: A nurse's perception of personal space can impact interactions with families. Nurses should be mindful of cultural differences and maintain respectful boundaries.

Parent Emotional Affect

• Parent Emotional Affect: A parent's emotional state can influence a hospitalized child's anxiety and stress levels. It's important to support parents emotionally during this time.

Parent Emotional Reactions

• Parent Emotional Reactions: A common emotional reaction parents may experience when a child is hospitalized is guilt.

Cultural Respect

• Cultural Respect: When administering care to a child, nurses should respect cultural practices related to health beliefs, dietary restrictions, and family involvement in care.

Common Misconceptions

• Common Misconceptions: A common misconception parents may have during their child's hospitalization is that they are not needed or allowed to participate in care.

Communication Avoidances

• Communication Avoidances: Nurses should avoid using medical jargon or technical terms during conversations with children and families.

Touch and Interactions

• Touch and Interactions: Touch during interactions with families should be done respectfully and attentively, acknowledging individual preferences and cultural sensitivities.

Sibling Experiences

• Sibling Experiences: Siblings of a hospitalized child can experience feelings of jealousy, anxiety, fear, and stress. Nurses should encourage them to express their emotions and provide support.