Pediatric Unit Reflection

I was on the unit when a new child was admitted, and this gave me the opportunity to observe therapeutic play and how the child benefits from it. The preschool child was admitted to the unit due to a femur fracture that would require surgical intervention and had been admitted to the unit until the surgical team could be assemble in order to reduce stress for the child. After the child’s pain was brought down to a manageable level in the emergency department, the child was brought up to the unit with orders to start an IV so that it was in place prior to the child heading to surgery. While the child was in his room, the nurse brought a bear and an open IV kit into the child’s room. The entire process of starting an IV was explained in simple
It was similar to working the adult med/surg unit, but it everything was done much slower. Each child was approached only when they were comfortable with the nurse and what was going to be done. I learned the importance of gaining a child’s understanding and cooperation prior to doing anything with them has a better outcome for everyone. I learned that family is a true part of the care team. I learned that children can be very forgiving of the pain that is caused during medical procedures if they have a safe place to go afterwards. I learned that children may not understand everything, but they handle everything better if they are educated at their developmental
Some of the interventions that the article points out would be having family close, having a favorite lovey/comfort item, pain control, and boredom relievers. By knowing that these things help relieve the stress a child experiences while in the hospital, staff can help ensure the child has their psychological needs met. When working with children, some of the things I could do to help ensure the child’s comfort would be to ask the child if they want their parents with them while they undergo a painful or scary procedure. I would also ensure that the child has their preferred lovey (a lovey is any comfort item that is of most importance to a child, it could be a stuffed animal, blanket, toy, or random household item) anytime they have to leave the