Pediatric acute care and trauma informed care

Question 1

3 E’s of trauma

Answer 1

Events: Actual or extreme threat of physical or psychologicalharm or neglect

Experience: Impact on the individual

Effects: effects on an individual’s emotions, health, well-being, ability to cope, cognition, and behavior regulation, and can alter an individual’s neurobiological makeup

Question 2

Types of trauma

Answer 2

Acute: single event

Chronic: prolonged, leads to toxic stress; can force physiological changes

Complex: neurological changes in the brain; altered responses from unresolved toxic stress

Question 3

Adverse childhood experiences

Answer 3

Potentially traumatic event that occurs during childhood

Correlated with worse health outcomes in both childhood and adulthood

Question 4

What experiences can result in traumatic stress reactions?

Answer 4

Initial injury or diagnosis

Pain or painful procedures

Setbacks in treatment

Uncertain prognosis

Sense of life threat

Medical environment

Exposure to distress of others

Reminders of past traumatic medical experiences

Visible changes in appearance

Physical limitations or impairments

Question 5

4 R’s of trauma informed care

Answer 5

Realize: understand prevalence of trauma

Respond: get training and respond appropriately

Recognize: Know signs of trauma

Resist re-traumatizing: individualize your approach

Question 6

6 Key principles to a trauma-informed approach

Answer 6

Safety

Trustworthiness and transparency

Peer support

Collaboration and mutuality

Empowerment, voice, and choice

Cultural, historical, and gender issues