Which nursing intervention would help a school age child overcome the stage of detachment or denial?

Who should you address first, the child or parent?

  • address parent first
  • if child sees parent trust you they are more likely to

Why is it good to have children sit on their parents lap for doctor visits?

  • safe, secure place
  • parent can calm and reassure child when it is over
  • parent can help keep child still

What do we have to worry about with a pediatric patient?

  • patient themselves
  • family

what are changes that are occurring to maternal and child health care?

  • technologic advances
  • increasing knowledge
  • government involvement
  • consumer demands

What are current trends in healthcare?

  • ACA: affordable care act in which everyone needs to be insured
  • reduce length of hospital stay
  • increase amount of homeware needed due to reduce length of hospital stay

What is healthy people 2020 purpose?

  • health promotion and disease prevention
  • added objectives for: adolescent health and early and middle childhood

What individuals in particular find it hard to seek healthcare?

when you are a non-citizen and no green card there is a lot of hesitance to seek health care

What is the trend with infant mortality rate?

  • better over past 10 years
  • disparities based on race due to premature brith
  • blacks have consistently higher rates than whites

What is the cycle of poverty

  • a child born into poverty is likely to be poor as an adult
  • poor children are more likely to leave school before graduating
  • childbearing at an early age is common, interfering with education and the ability to work

NEED TO BREAK CYCLE

In what ways are kids different than adults that we need to keep in mind with physical assessments?

  • more fussy
  • depending on age may be afraid of strangers
  • might not do things in a systematic order (what we need to assess do first)
  • vital signs changes as they age (HR go down from birth)
  • size makes assessment harder
  • doing your assessment based on developmental stage
  • head needs to mold after birth

What fontanel closes first?

What fontanel closes second?

What do we need to make sure with fontanels

need to make sure they close at correct times otherwise it will restrict growth 

What happens when fontanels close early?

won't allow enough room for brain to grow 

With preterm birth when do we set dates on fontanels closing?

based on anticipated birth 

What are the approaches to pediatric physical assessment?

  • the nurse applies knowledge of physical growth and development
  • assessment of children requires creativity and flexibility
  • includes all body systems
  • generally proceeds from head to toe

What are the different techniques for physical examination? and what do each mean?

  • inspection: visual observation
  • palpation: the nurse uses touch/feeling
  • percussion: tapping of the fingers
  • auscultation: listening to body sounds

When does inspection for physical assessment begin?

  • starts when patient walks into room
  • know what to expect from that age

What should you do for a patient when you walk into the room regardless of age?

What is the tentative sequence of physical examination?

  • general appearance
  • history taking
  • record of data (completely and concisely)
  • vital signs

When should vital signs be done?

at every visit and if needed more it depends on the acuity of in-patients 

What history needs to be taken with children?

everything that has happened birth and beyond

What do we document with children?

  • What we saw, felt, and heard
  • never put a word that classifies the child as something

How do you measure the head circumference of an infant?

tape measure at the broadest part (occiput) and then up and around (should be largest circumference of the head

What should you assess with a skin assessment?

  • color
  • moisture
  • temperature
  • turgor
  • edema
  • lesions

What should you do with any extremity when assessing it?

compare symmetrical body parts to eachother

Why is pediatric skin supposed to be extremely healthy?

have not gone through anything that affects circulatory system, perfusion, ext. 

Where are lymph nodes found?

all over the body (superficial ones listed below)

  • posterior auricular
  • occipital
  • superficial cervical
  • posterior cervical
  • subclavicular
  • supraclavicular
  • deep cervical
  • tonsillar
  • submental (sublingual)
  • submandibular
  • parotid
  • preauricular
  • intraclavicular
  • axillary
  • epitrochlear
  • superficial inguinal (horizontal, vertical)
  • deep sublingual

In what areas should a nurse assess for enlarged lymph nodes?

  • head and neck
  • supraclavicular
  • axillary region
  • arms
  • inguinal region

What should you look for with an assessment of the head?

  • symmetry
  • movement
  • control
  • shape

How much control of the head does an infant have?

  • when they are born they do not have a lot of control but as they age they will gain strength

How does head control improve as child gets older?

  • eye sight is developed
  • being to interact with world around them, moving more
  • tummy time

Why are kids supposed to sleep on their backs with no blankets or pillows?

  • nose breathers and don't have function of mouth
  • need tummy time still

How does tummy time help children?

learn how to pick their head up to strengthen muscles and get head control 

How does muscular development of an infant move?

  • moves head to toe
  • stregthen head --> shoulders --> role over --> rocking on knees --> pull self up --> walking

What should you be assessing for infant fontanels?

  • size
  • tenseness
  • pulsation

What should you expect with a fontanel? what is the exception to this?

  • feel pulsation (no bulging)
  • should be soft, not tense and tough

Exception is with crying because it increases BP and cranial pressure

When does the anterior fontanel close?

When does the posterior fontanel cranial sutures close?

Where are the following sutures found?

  • anterior fontanel
  • posterior fontanel
  • lambdoidal suture
  • sagittal suture
  • coronal suture

What happens if fontanels close too early?

the brain and skull are unable to grow

What if fontanels close too late?

  • hypophosphatasia
  • parietal foramina syndrome
  • osteogenesis imperfecta
  • achondroplasia

How do you assess a fontanel?

rubbing head to assess fontanel

What do you assess of the face?

  • dysmorphic features
  • spacing and symmetry
  • eyes: position and size, configuration
  • ears: alignment and low-set

how do you see if eyes are same on each side?

difference of body structure 

What is normal ear alignment?

10 degrees angle from straight up and down 

deviation in alignment where they are > 10 degrees from straight up and down

  • may be genetic

What may be the cause of low-set ear alignment?

  • down syndrome or other chromosomal abnormality

What do you assess with nose, mouth and throat?

  • external nose (allergic salute)
  • nasal mucosa
  • sinuses
  • mouth

Crease along the top of the bulb of the nose

  • caused by kids trying to rub their nose so much

Why should the mouth be the last thing examined on a child?

because this may produce anxiety for children 

Identify the following sinuses

What do you assess when you are looking at a childs teeth?

  • number
  • cavities
  • tooth formation
  • occlusion

When should oral care begin?

very early, start by massaging and swaying gums after eating

Why should one not put baby to sleep with a bottle?

  • likely cause cavities due to the sugar in the bottle
  • bottle rot

starts in center and moves its way out

What age do you loose your front teeth and your permanent teeth come in?

List of teeth and when they erupt and are lost in children 

When do each permanent teeth erupt?

What should you asses with a childs eyes?

  • visual acuity
  • color vision
  • peripheral vision
  • strabismus
  • field of vision
  • muscle function

abnormal alignment of the eyes

How do you test visual fields?

cover one eye and move your finger to see when it is lost from field

What should you assess with the ears?

  • hearing acuity
  • external ear
  • otoscopic examination

how may you assess hearing acuity?

  • infant assessment
  • audiometry
  • whisper test
  • conduction test

How may you assess hearing of an infant?

clap hands or ring a bell to see if the infant reacts to sound

How do you assess tympanic membrane?

How is the eustachian tube positioned differently with children?

in order to see you must pull down and back (adults you pull up and back)

What do you do to assess thorax and lungs of a child?

  • inspection
  • palpation
  • percussion
  • auscultation

What assessment should be done first if baby is sleeping

generally auscultate first if child is sleeping

What is the best way to keep a child still in order to do an assessment?

  • try having parent hold child
  • parent calms the child and may help hold them still

what do you do with auscultating if the infant is crying?

  • must listen to breath sounds between cries
  • keep child in comfort of her mothers arms lessens distress

What needs to be done with a cardiac assessment?

  • auscultation
  • position child for different auscultation

What part of stethoscope do you listen for child cardiac assessment?

  • both the bell and the diaphragm of the stethoscope should be used

What are the 3 positions for a child for a cardiac assessment?

  • supine
  • left lateral recumbent
  • sitting upright

What are some atypical sounds you may hear with a cardiac assessment?

  • extra sound
  • murmur: rhythm is off
  • swishing

know what typical is so you can know when it is atypical (compare with own heart or ask someone else)

How should you prepare patient and room for assessment of the abdomen?

  • empty bladder
  • a warm room
  • supine position (may even be in parents lap)
  • pillow under the head and knees
  • make sure hands are warm

What should you do if child is ticklish when you are performing an assessment on their abdomen?

  • have child put their hand down first and then yours and move hands to feel

Which nursing intervention promotes cooperation with the assessment of the abdomen in children?

  1. examining the child without the parents
  2. performing painful procedure first to ensure completion
  3. maintaining a warm environment
  4. not explaining procedures to the child because he or she may become frightened and uncooperative

3. maintain a warm environment 

Should you ever not explain a procedure to the child?

no! might not give them a lot of notice, but always let them know in language they understand 

Should you perform painful procedure first to ensure completion?

No because they will become fearful for what is coming up next

How do you determine approach for male genitalia assessment?

dependent on childs growth and development 

What should you do to assess male genitalia of infant, toddler, or young child?

  • parents will participate
  • do it with a dipper change

What should you be cautious with during an assessment of male genitalia of an adolescent?

they are modest and may fear pain or judgement 

What kind of an assessment is done for prepubescent girls for female genitalia?

  • visual inspection
  • gentle palpation of the external area

What kind of an assessment is done for adolescent girls for female genitalia?

speculum examination is not indicated 

What is our primary focus areas for a musculoskeletal system assessment?

  • upper extremities
  • lower extremities
  • spinal column

What do we look for with a musculoskeletal system assessment?

  • based on development what kind of things do we expect to see?
  • bilaterally similar
  • spinal column assessing for curvature of spine (kyphosis and lordosis)

What does one assess with a neurologic system assessment?

  • cerebral funciton
  • cerebellar funciton
  • motor system
  • sensory system
  • reflex status

What do you asses for a cerebral function?

What are different settings for care of the ill child?

  • hospital
  • school-based clinics
  • community clinics
  • home care

What are the different locations for care of child in the hospital?

  • 24-hour observation
  • emergency hospitalization
  • outpatient and day facilities
  • rehabilitative care
  • medical-surgical unit
  • intensive care unit

What are the additional layers of complexity for pediatrics in medical surgical?

  • age and developmental abilities
  • dealing with patient and family
  • family will be in the room waiting most of the time
  • caring for family as well

What do we need to make sure to do for adequate care at home for children?

make sure teaching everything

What are common stressors and children's response to hospitalization/illness?

  • fear of the unknown
  • separation anxiety
  • fear of pain or mutilation
  • loss of control
  • anger
  • guilt
  • regression

Why is the OR such a scary place?

  • lights
  • cold
  • masks
  • try to let child know what they are going to experience (prep them)
  • allow parent in with child until induction of anesthesia

What is an example of a regression symptom?

What are the three stages of separation anxiety?

  • protest
  • despair
  • detachment

protest stage of separation anxiety 

child is agitated, resists caregivers, cries, and is inconsolable

despair stage of separation anxiety 

child feels hopeless and becomes quiet, withdrawn, and apathetic

detachment stage of separation anxiety 

child becomes interested in environment; may ignore parents return 

is detachment stage of separation anxiety good or bad?

not good, typically children should be excited to see their parents again

What are stressors associated with hospitalization for infants and toddlers?

  • separation anxiety
  • fear of injury and pain
  • loss of control

What are stressors associated with hospitalization for the preschooler age?

  • separation anxiety is less obvious and less serious than in the toddler
  • fear of injury and pain-specifically the fear of mutilation
  • loss of control
  • guilt and shame

What should you do to help the stressors associated with hospitalization of a preschooler?

  • don't give them a lot of heads up
  • let them know what will happen
  • ensure they will be okay
  • watch language
  • don't ask if they want medical procedure or not (do give them other choices and keep it to two choices)

How can we maintain a safe place at the hospital for children?

  • a designated safe area can enhance a child's sense of security
  • intrusive procedures should take place in a treatment room, not the child's room
  • the playroom should not be used for treatments and/or administering medications
  • room should be a safe place

During the first 4 days of hospitalization, Erich, age 18 months, cried inconsolably when his parents left him, and he refused the staff's attention. Now the nurse observes that Erich appears to be "settled in" and unconcerned about seeing his parents. The nurse should interpret this as:

  1. He has successfully adjusted to the hospital environment
  2. He has transferred his trust to the nursing staff
  3. He may be experiencing detachment, which is the third stage of separation anxiety
  4. Because he is "at home" in the hospital now, seeing his mother frequently will only start the cycle again.

3. He may be experiencing detachment


What does it really mean when child experiences detachment from separation anxiety?

  • Should be really happy to parents
  • trust and security issues

What should you do if a child is experiencing detachment from separation anxiety?

What is a school age-child typical reaction to illness and hospitalization?

  • becomes distressed over separation from family and peers
  • fear of body disability and death
  • asks relevant questions
  • wants to know the reason for tests and procedures

What may help a school-age child overcome their fears in the hospital?

having them talk about their fears 

What is a typical reaction to illness and hospitalization with the adolescent?

  • separation from peers is the major source of anxiety
  • loss of control
  • fear of injury and pain

What are the factors that affect the child's response to hospitalization?

  • perception of events
  • age and developmental level
  • cognitive ability
  • preparation
  • previous experience
  • coping skills
  • parent and family responses

What are some good use of play for an ill child?

  • play rooms
  • therapeutic play
  • teaching through play
  • play as an emotional outlet
  • enhancing cooperation
  • play is so important to children
  • play is so important to children

Should play for an ill child be structured or unstructured?

What needs to occur during initial admitting a child to a hospital?

  • taking a history
  • physical examination

What is included in a physical examination for a child just admitted to the hospital?

  • initial inspection
  • baseline data
  • involve the parents

Should parents be involved in the care of a child in the hospital?

yes, as much as they want to be involved

What may an ill childs family be feeling?

  • guilt
  • denial
  • anger
  • depression

How should the nurse respond to an ill child's family?

  • the nurse should provides family-centered care to all siblings, parents, and other family members
  • parents may need Physiatric help

What is the preferred location for a procedure for a child?

What should the parents or loved one being doing during a procedure?

should be providing comfort and support --> encourage this

What should you do as a nurse when explaining a procedure to a child and parents?

use developmentally appropriate terminology 

What are some things a nurse needs to keep in mind and do to prep for a procedure on a child?

  • the treatment room is the preferred location
  • encourage a parent or loved one to provide comfort and support
  • use developmentally appropriate terminology
  • Know when a parent cannot provide that comfort and find someone who can
  • offer the child choices
  • tell the child and family how they can help with the procedure
  • do not threaten punishment for lack of cooperation
  • do not force an unwilling parent to stay

Should you threaten punishment for a lack of cooperation in a child?

Do you force an unwilling parent to stay in the room for a child?

What intervention should the nurse take when preparing a child for a procedure?

  1. have a separate exam room for procedures
  2. insist the parents stay to reduce the child's anxiety
  3. use medical terminology when explaining
  4. reassure the child that the procedure will not hurt

  • 1. have a separate exam room for procedures
  • 2 is not correct because if the parent doesn't want to stay we don't want to make them
  • 4 is not true because we need to be honest with child

What should a nurse do to help a child cope with 

  • support families as they help their children
  • give kids coping skills
  • no surprises --> keep trust
  • show equipment before procedure
  • tricking a kid is not good as it can break trust

How can you describe the pain a child may feel to prep them?

  • long or short
  • a little or a lot of pain

Standard precautions for infection prevention apply to what?

  • blood
  • all body fluids, secretions, and excretions, except sweat, regardless of whether they contain visible blood
  • non intact skin
  • mucous membranes

this protects ourselves and the patient

When do you need informed consent with a child?

procedures that involve risk to the child, such as surgery 

Whose responsibility is an informed consent?

  • often MD's responsibility
  • nurse as witness

When do you need general consent?

routine procedures such as medication administration

  • it is customary to obtain agreement with the child if they are over the age of 7
  • child does not have legal right to consent but they should know of the procedure and assent

What documentation is necessary of the procedure?

  • preparation
  • key elements of the procedure
  • who performed the procedure
  • how it was tolerated by the child

What is of paramount importance for all children 

Who is at greatest risk for injury in children?

What is used during a procedure to help calm and keep resistance from a child?

  • techniques such as distraction are used during procedures
  • restraints should only be implemented as a last resort

For children when should crib and bed rails be kept up?

when using restraints what should you keep in mind?

  • use least restrictive restraint
  • choose the proper device for the condition
  • ensure proper fit
  • tie knots that can be untied easily for quick access
  • secure ties to bed frames
  • frequently check the extremity distal to the restraint for circulation, sensation, and motion
  • remove restraint every 1-2 hours
  • document findings from neuromuscular checks

where do you secure ties of restraints to?

Why remove restraints every 1-2 hours?

for range of motion movement, repositioning and to offer child food or opportunity to use the bathroom 

what do you need to make sure to document when using restraints?

  • document findings from neurovascular checks

What hygiene do you need to keep up with children in the hospital?

  • bathing infants and children with a sponge or tub bath
  • oral hygiene (keep gums moist and clean, brush, and floss)

What should nutrition look like in the hospital for a child?

  • foods must be appropriate for infants or childs age

Can bottles be propped in hospital?

Where can one measure child's temperature?

  • oral
  • axillary
  • rectal
  • temporal

What is preferred location to measure childs pulse?

What do you need to make sure you do when taking childs blood pressure?

  • choose a cuff of the appropriate size

Is blood pressure regularly done in infants?

not done regularly below age of 3

What type of play is especially helpful for a child who is hospitalized to express their anger and fear?

Child Life, Education and Creative Arts Therapy Play allows children to express themselves in a way that is familiar to them. Medical play allows children to work out (or "play" out) their feelings or anxieties regarding medical experiences. Angry or aggressive feelings may surface during play.

During which phase of separation anxiety is a toddler most likely to cling to the parent quizlet?

During the protest phase of separation anxiety the toddler is most likely to cling to the parent. Inactivity is characteristic of the despair stage. Depression and sadness are characteristic of the despair phase. Regression to earlier behavior is also a characteristic of the despair phase.

What is the primary nursing goal for a hospitalized toddler quizlet?

Explaining routines and ensuring privacy are helpful goals, but the primary goal for a hospitalized toddler is to prevent separation. A child is sad, does not communicate, and has no interest in playing. In what stage of separation anxiety is the child?

How do I calm my child as a nurse?

Tips for Pediatric Nurses to Make Their Child Patients Happy.
Practice Calmness. Anxiety is scary and contagious. ... .
Talk Through the Experience. ... .
Play Music. ... .
Get Some Printed Scrubs. ... .
Employ Distractions. ... .
Offer a Treat. ... .
Be Educational. ... .
Make Their Physical Comfort a Priority..