Case Studies, Chapter 8, Atraumatic Care of Children and Families
1. Libby, 4 years old, is being admitted into the medical/surgical unit of the local children’s hospital. Libby has been diagnosed with pneumonia and requires IV antibiotics over several days. She is being accompanied by her parents, George and Martha. The nurse who is admitting Libby and her family to the unit explains that the unit practices atraumatic care and incorporates such techniques as child life specialists to minimize the stress on Libby and her parents during their hospital stay. George and Martha ask about atraumatic care and the child life specialists.
a. What can the nurse teach George and Martha about atraumatic care?
b. What are child life specialists and how do they contribute to the quality of care Libby will receive in the hospital?
c. What are some other techniques the nurse can utilize to minimize the amount of physical stress Libby and her family experience during her hospital stay?