child care during illness and hospitalization

Question 1

what are 3 common stressors of hospitalization?

Answer 1

1) fear and anxiety

2) separation anxiety

3) loss of control

Question 2

what are the 3 stages of separation anxiety?

Answer 2

1) protest : crying, screaming, searching for parents with eyes, avoiding/rejecting strangers

2) despair : being inactive and withdrawn. child is sad and uncommunicative

3) detachement/denial : interacting with strangers or familiar caregivers

Question 3

how is safety maintained during hospital?

Answer 3

• use of restraints
• transport of the child

Question 4

what are 3 strategies nurses can use to minimize stressors for the parents of the hospitalized child?

Answer 4

1) an key one is allowing them to participate in the Childs care as much as possible

2) allow time for parents to talk and ask questions

3) providing re-assurance and positive feedback

3)

Question 5

what should the nurse do to make a child comfortable if they’re gong to isolation?

Answer 5

With young children the best approach is a simple explanation, such as “You need to be in this room to help you get better. This is a special place to make all the germs go away. The germs made you sick, and you could not help that.”
All children, but especially younger ones, need preparation in terms of what they will see, hear, or feel in isolation. They should be shown the mask, gloves, and gown and be encouraged to “dress up” in them. Playing with the strange apparel lessens the fear of seeing “ghostlike” people walk into the room.

so:
- let the child explore the PPE
- let the child “dress up” in it
- show your face to the child before gowning and masking up