Question

Which roommate would be most suitable for the 6-year-old male with a fractured femur in Russell's traction? A. 16-year-old female with scoliosis B. 12-year-old male with a fractured femur C. 10-year-old male with sarcoma D. 6-year-old male with osteomylitis

Short answer

Based on the analysis of each potential roommate's age, gender, and medical condition, the most suitable roommate for a 6-year-old male with a fractured femur in Russell's traction would be option B - the 12-year-old male with a fractured femur. This choice allows for shared experiences and activities related to their fractures, as well as better age compatibility with the patient.

Step-by-step solution

List relevant factors for each roommate

In this step, we will list the relevant factors for each potential roommate. These factors would include age, gender, and medical condition. Our main goal is to assess how compatible each of these roommates might be with our patient. A. 16-year-old female with scoliosis - Gender: Female - Age: 16 years old - Condition: Scoliosis B. 12-year-old male with a fractured femur - Gender: Male - Age: 12 years old - Condition: Fractured femur C. 10-year-old male with sarcoma - Gender: Male - Age: 10 years old - Condition: Sarcoma D. 6-year-old male with osteomyelitis - Gender: Male - Age: 6 years old - Condition: Osteomyelitis

Analyze roommate compatibility

In this step, we will analyze the compatibility of each potential roommate with our patient. We are looking for a roommate who is of a similar age, has a similar medical condition, and could potentially share experiences or activities in the hospital. A. The 16-year-old female with scoliosis might not be the most suitable roommate since the age gap is significant (10 years older), and the medical conditions are different. It would be difficult for them to share experiences or activities. B. The 12-year-old male with a fractured femur is closer in age and has a very similar medical condition. They could potentially share experiences and activities related to their fractures. This option appears to be more suitable. C. The 10-year-old male with sarcoma is closer in age but has a different medical condition. While they might be able to share some experiences, the difference in their conditions could make this option less suitable. D. The 6-year-old male with osteomyelitis is the same age as our patient but has a different medical condition. They may share some experiences due to their age, but the differences in their conditions may make this option less suitable than option B.

Choose the most suitable roommate

After analyzing the compatibility of each potential roommate with our patient, it seems that the most suitable roommate would be option B - the 12-year-old male with a fractured femur. This is because they are closer in age and have a similar medical condition, allowing them to share experiences and activities in the hospital.

Key concepts

Patient Compatibility

When considering a patient's compatibility with a roommate in a hospital setting, several factors should be assessed. These include the patient's age, gender, and medical condition, as well as any potential benefits from shared experiences.

• Age: Having a roommate of similar age can help in forming a bond, especially with younger patients who can relate through play and shared interests.
• Gender: Some patients may feel more comfortable with a roommate of the same gender, due to shared social experiences.
• Medical Condition: Having similar medical conditions allows patients to share their experiences, challenges, or specific recovery processes. This can greatly enhance mental and emotional support.

In the exercise, option B is considered the ideal choice for the roommate. Both the patient and the potential roommate have fractured femurs, which means they can empathize with each other's pain management and physical limitations, contributing to mutual support.

Pediatric Nursing Care

Pediatric nursing care involves providing health care services to children from infancy through adolescence. The care is tailored toward managing physical, emotional, and social needs of the child, ensuring communication is age-appropriate and engaging. Some key aspects include:

• Developmental Considerations: Pediatric nurses assess growth and development milestones, adjusting care practices to suit the child's evolving needs.
• Family-Centered Care: Working closely with families to incorporate their insights, preferences, and values into the child's care plan.
• Age-appropriate Communication: Using language suitable for the child's age and understanding to explain procedures or care activities.
• Emotional Support: Providing therapeutic play or activities to ease stress and anxiety of being in a hospital setting.

For children like the 6-year-old in the problem, ensuring the care environment promotes recovery through tailored interactions is essential to both physical and emotional well-being.

Roommate Selection

Selecting an appropriate roommate in a pediatric setting can significantly impact a child's hospital experience. The right match can reduce stress, promote healing, and provide companionship.

Factors to Consider

• Shared Interests: When children have common interests, they often engage more easily, making their stay more enjoyable.
• Supportive Environment: Matching patients with similar conditions can provide opportunities for mutual support and understanding. This was seen in the 12-year-old with a similar fracture to the patient.
• Minimizing Risks: It's crucial to avoid placing a patient with an infectious condition, like the child with osteomyelitis, with another patient to prevent cross-contamination.

A thoughtful roommate selection considers both personal and clinical factors to improve the overall hospital experience.

Russell's Traction

Russell's traction is a method used for the treatment of certain fractures, particularly in the lower limbs. It combines skin traction with a suspension technique, which helps maintain the proper positioning and alignment of the femur while allowing some degree of movement.

How Does It Work?

• Skin Traction: Adhesive strips or bandages are applied to the skin and connected to weights, exerting a pulling force on the limb.
• Suspension: The leg is typically lifted with a sling, reducing direct pressure on the injury and allowing slight motion at the knee joint.
• Benefits: Russell's traction minimizes muscle spasms and reduces the risk of displacing the fracture, contributing to better healing outcomes.

Children like the patient with the fractured femur in Russell's traction may require additional support for immobilization and a comfortable, stress-free environment to facilitate recovery.