Chapter 19: Family Centered Care

Question 1

What are the 3 phases of separation anxiety?

Answer 1

1. protest phase – crying, screaming, clinging to parent
2. despair phase – no crying, evidence of depression
3. detachment/denial phase – resignation but not contentment, superficial adjustment
   * this may affect child’s attachment to parent after separation
   * want to avoid this

Question 2

What are some risk factors that increase a child’s vulnerability to hospital stress?

6 factors

Answer 2

• difficult temperament
• lack of fit b/w child and parent
• age – usually 6 months - 5 y.o.
• males
• below-average intelligence – increased fears and lack of understanding
• multiple and continuing stressors – like frequent hospitalizations

Question 3

What are some ways to prevent or minimize separation anxiety?

Answer 3

• provide family-centered care
• parents are not considered visitors – they should be allowed to constantly be at the bedside
• bring familiar items from home
• normalize hospital environment – routines, schedules, encourage the child to engage in self-care, schoolwork, friends/visitors