Preparing the family
Preparing the family General principles of family education Establish a rapport with the family. Avoid using any specialized terms or jargon. Clarify all terms with the family. When possible, allow family members to decide how they want to be taught (e.g., all at once or over 1 or 2 days). This gives the family a […]
Postprocedural support
Postprocedural support Encourage expression of feelings Playing with medical objects provides children with the opportunity to play out fears and concerns with supervision by a nurse or child life specialist Positive reinforcement Children need to hear from adults that they did the best they could in the situation—no matter how they behaved. It is important […]
Performance of the procedure
Performance of the procedure Expect success Approach children with confidence and convey the impression that you expect to be successful Involve the child Permitting choices gives them some measure of control. But don’t state “Do you want to take your medicine now?” leads them to believe they have an option and provides them the opportunity […]
Developmental and cognitive ability
Developmental and cognitive ability Establish trust and provide support Parental presence and support Support parents who do not want to be present in their decision and encourage them to remain close by so that they can be available to support the child immediately after the procedure. Parents should also know that someone will be with […]
Adolescent: Developing Identity and Abstract Thought
Adolescent: Developing Identity and Abstract Thought Increasing Abstract Thought and Reasoning Discuss why procedure is necessary or beneficial. Explain long-term consequences of procedures; include information about body systems working together. Realize adolescent may fear death, disability, or other potential risks. Encourage questioning regarding fears, options, and alternatives. Consciousness of Appearance Provide privacy; describe how the […]
School-Age Child: Developing Industry and Concrete Thought
School-Age Child: Developing Industry and Concrete Thought Increased Language Skills; Interest in Acquiring Knowledge Explain procedure using correct scientific and medical terminology. Explain procedure using simple diagrams and photographs. Discuss why procedure is necessary; concepts of illness and bodily functions are often vague. Explain function and operation of equipment in concrete terms. Allow child to […]
Preschooler: Developing Initiative and Preoperational Thought
Preschooler: Developing Initiative and Preoperational Thought Egocentric Explain procedure in simple terms and in relation to how it affects child (as with toddler, stress sensory aspects). Demonstrate use of equipment. Allow child to play with miniature or actual equipment. Encourage “playing out” experience on a doll both before and after procedure to clarify misconceptions. Use […]
Toddler: Developing Autonomy and Sensorimotor to Preoperational Thought
Toddler: Developing Autonomy and Sensorimotor to Preoperational Thought Use same approaches as for infant plus the following. Egocentric Thought Explain procedure in relation to what child will see, hear, taste, smell, and feel. Emphasize those aspects of procedure that require cooperation (e.g., lying still). Tell child it is okay to cry, yell, or use other […]
Infant: Developing trust and sensorimotor thought
Age-specific guidelines for preparation Infant: Developing trust and sensorimotor thought Attachment to Parent Involve parent in procedure if desired. Keep parent in infant’s line of vision. If parent is unable to be with infant, place familiar object with infant (e.g., stuffed toy). Stranger Anxiety Have usual caregivers perform or assist with procedure. Make advances slowly […]
Preparation for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
Preparation for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures Psychologic preparation Selecting nonthreatening words or phrases Words and Phrases to Avoid Suggested Substitutions Shot, bee sting, stick Medicine under the skin Organ Special place in body Test To see how (specify body part) is working Incision, cut Special opening Edema Puffiness Stretcher, gurney Rolling bed, bed on wheels […]