Question

An 8 year-old child is brought to the emergency room (ER) with a fractured right femur. The parents report that the child was playing baseball and while sliding into home plate, he collided with another player on the opposing team. The child requires surgery to repair the fracture. After surgery, the child will be in skeletal traction for two weeks and must remain on bedrest. Following skeletal traction, the child will be placed in a long leg cast.

Upon assessment, the vital signs are: Temp-37 C (98.6 F), pulse- 98 beats/minute, respirations-21 breaths/minute, and blood pressure-124/86 mm Hg. The child’s pain level is an “8” on a scale of 0-10. Swelling and bruising of the thigh is noted. An X-ray confirms the diagnosis. The child is frightened about going to the operating room.

The child has no known allergies and takes a multivitamin every morning. His passion is sports, especially baseball, and when he grows up in wants to be a professional baseball player and play for the New York Yankees.

Questions:

1. What can the nurse do to reduce the child’s fear of hospitalization?

2. According to Erikson, what psychosocial developmental stage is this child in?

3. What diversional activities can the nurse provide while the child is in skeletal traction to promote growth and development?

4. Following surgery, what assessment findings would cause the nurse to notify the health care provider (HCP)?

5. What is compartment syndrome? What are the findings of compartment syndrome?

6. What nursing actions should be taken when caring for a child in skeletal traction?

7. What is a primary nursing diagnosis related to the above case study?

8. After two weeks of skeletal traction, the child is placed in a long leg cast and is discharged. What discharge teaching should the nurse provide to the child and his parents regarding cast care?

Answer 1

Nurses who have spent a great deal of time on the pediatrics floor know a little distraction goes a long way. Take patients' minds off their concerns by asking questions about their interests. Engage them by asking about school, their favorite TV shows, their pets and their friend

Anxiety is contagious. It’s easy to become frazzled during a busy shift, but, when you become tense and stressed, it’s usually evident in your voice and body language. A healthcare provider who shows anxiousness only serves to enhance the nervousness of young patients and their

Experience

Many times, pediatric patients are anxious because they don’t know what to expect. Will you be giving them a shot? Is it going to hurt? Will they have to stay overnight or be separated from their parents? The best way to assuage their fears is by recognizing and communicating with parents.

Play Music

The power of music as an anti-anxiety agent has been studied for decades

Employ Distractions

Nurses who have spent a great deal of time on the pediatrics floor know a little distraction goes a long way. Take patients’ minds off their concerns by asking questions about their interests.

Question no 2

Child is in industry stage