Pediatric clients are at increased risk for impaired psychosocial integrity during stressful experiences (eg, hospitalization, surgical procedures, medical treatment) and require developmentally appropriate care based on their age to assist with managing stress. Unaddressed or ineffectively managed developmental needs may lead to or worsen the client's anxiety, disobedient behavior, and/or social withdrawal. Developmentally appropriate nursing care for an adolescent client includes: - Encouraging interaction with peers (eg, hospital visits, internet communication), which supports the developmental need for social connection and support and reduces stress and anxiety (Option 2) -
Involving the client in care planning to address the developmental needs for control and independence (Option 4) -
Assisting the client to discuss emotions or fears related to treatment (eg, changes in body image, disability, possibility of death) to improve coping, support the developmental need for understanding, and decrease anxiety (Option 5)
(Option 1) Strict scheduling by the nurse reduces the adolescent's perception of control and independence, which may increase stress. Adolescents should be allowed to determine their daily schedule when possible.
(Option 3) Loss of privacy (eg, forced parental presence) can increase anxiety in the adolescent client. Adolescents should be asked if they want parents present for procedures and what level of parental involvement they prefer.
Educational objective: Nursing care for the hospitalized adolescent client needs to be developmentally appropriate and promote the elimination of stressors. The nurse should encourage adolescent clients to interact with peers, discuss emotions or fears about treatments, and involve the client in decision-making regarding the plan of care.
Pediatric clients are at increased risk for impaired psychosocial integrity during stressful experiences (eg, hospitalization, surgical procedures, medical treatment) and require developmentally appropriate care based on their age to assist with managing stress. Unaddressed or ineffectively managed developmental needs may lead to or worsen the client's anxiety, disobedient behavior, and/or social withdrawal. Developmentally appropriate nursing care for an adolescent client includes: - Encouraging interaction with peers (eg, hospital visits, internet communication), which supports the developmental need for social connection and support and reduces stress and anxiety (Option 2) -
Involving the client in care planning to address the developmental needs for control and independence (Option 4) -
Assisting the client to discuss emotions or fears related to treatment (eg, changes in body image, disability, possibility of death) to improve coping, support the developmental need for understanding, and decrease anxiety (Option 5)
(Option 1) Strict scheduling by the nurse reduces the adolescent's perception of control and independence, which may increase stress. Adolescents should be allowed to determine their daily schedule when possible.
(Option 3) Loss of privacy (eg, forced parental presence) can increase anxiety in the adolescent client. Adolescents should be asked if they want parents present for procedures and what level of parental involvement they prefer.
Educational objective: Nursing care for the hospitalized adolescent client needs to be developmentally appropriate and promote the elimination of stressors. The nurse should encourage adolescent clients to interact with peers, discuss emotions or fears about treatments, and involve the client in decision-making regarding the plan of care.
