Question

A preschooler is admitted to the hospital the day before scheduled surgery. Witch of the following actions will best help reduce the childs ansiety in this siruarion? a. have parent wait outside the room as child settles in b. begin preoperative teaching immediarely; 30 minute session c. explain procedure in detail d. give the child dolls, puppets, and medical equipment to play out experience

Short answer

Option (d) is the best way to reduce the child's anxiety.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Patient’s Situation

A preschooler will feel scared and anxious in a hospital environment, especially before surgery. It is crucial to choose an action that can make the child feel more comfortable and less anxious.

Consider Options for Reducing Anxiety

Review each option given: a. Having the parent wait outside while the child adjusts b. Beginning a 30-minute preoperative teaching session right away c. Explaining the procedure in detail d. Providing dolls, puppets, and medical equipment for the child to play with

Evaluate Each Option

Evaluate the effectiveness of each option: a. Separating the child from the parent could increase anxiety, not reduce it. b. A 30-minute teaching session might be too long and cumbersome for a preschooler. c. Explaining the procedure in detail may be overwhelming and frightening for a young child. d. Allowing the child to use dolls, puppets, and medical equipment to play out the experience can help them understand what to expect, make the situation less intimidating, and provide a sense of control.

Make a Decision

Based on the evaluations, option (d) is the most effective way to reduce the preschooler's anxiety. It turns a stressful situation into something more familiar and manageable for the child.

Key concepts

Child Hospital Preparation

Hospitals can be scary places for preschoolers. They are filled with new sounds, sights, and people. Preparing a child for a hospital stay helps reduce their anxiety. It’s essential to make the environment feel safe and familiar. Talk to them about what they might see and hear. Use simple words they understand. Letting them know that their parents will stay with them can be very reassuring.
Let them ask questions, and answer honestly but appropriately for their age. Bringing familiar items, like a favorite toy or blanket, can provide comfort and a sense of safety. Interactive pre-admission tours of the hospital, where children can see and even touch some non-threatening medical equipment, also work wonders to demystify the experience.

Preoperative Anxiety Management

Managing anxiety before surgery is crucial. Anxiety can make the medical procedure more difficult for both the child and healthcare providers. One way to help is to keep explanations short and simple. Long, detailed descriptions can overwhelm young children. Instead, focus on basic information and use kid-friendly language.
Being present during medical procedures can also decrease anxiety. Children feel more secure when their parents or guardians are nearby. Avoid separating them unless absolutely necessary. Using tools like storytelling or children’s books about hospital experiences can also provide comfort. These stories normalize the experience and prepare the child mentally, making them feel less alone.

Therapeutic Play in Healthcare

Therapeutic play is a powerful way to help children cope with medical experiences. By giving a child dolls, puppets, and medical equipment to play with, they can act out their fears and questions. This type of play enables children to understand and process their hospital experience in a non-threatening way.
During play, children can explore medical procedures on a doll. They can pretend to be the doctor or nurse, giving them a sense of control. Healthcare providers can also use these tools to demonstrate what will happen during the surgery. This makes the unknowns less scary.
Additionally, therapeutic play helps to distract children from the immediate stress of being in a hospital. It can be a source of joy and comfort, making the hospital feel like a less daunting place.