“Unintentional burn injuries” occur very often in the pediatric populations (World Health Organization, 2008, p. 7). Furthermore, burn trauma inevitably results in ongoing stress for the patients and their families (Young, Kenardy, Cobham & Kimble, 2012). In anticipation for the short term and long-term effects of significant stress, nursing care within the acute care setting must utilize strategies to reduce stress. This paper highlights factors contributing to stress following a pediatric burn trauma. In addition, this paper also outlines two nursing strategies essential for stress reduction in patients and their families.
Key Factors contributing to Stress Pediatric burn trauma often exposes families’ to the acute care setting for the first time (Clukey, Curtis, Hayes & Merrill, 2009). As Patterson & Weichman suggest, anxiety related to a new …show more content…
Pain results in physical and significant psychological implications for patients and their families (Weichman & Patterson, 2004). One key psychological manifestation of pain is stress. For instance, as the affected child experiences pain, the family witnesses it, leading to significant stress for both (Zengerle-Levy, 2006). Consequently, pain management acts as a key strategy for stress reduction. Pharmacological intervention can ease patient pain. In addition, a nurse can ease the families stress by communicating the plan for pain management, and explaining any additional interventions that they undertake (Rzucidlo & Campbell, 2009). Although the literature clearly emphasizes the need for pharmacological interventions, it falls upon the nurse to incorporate non-pharmacological interventions for pain management (Weichman & Patterson, 2004). Non-pharmacological interventions provide an opportunity for the family to become involved. A nurse may encourage the family to utilize strategies to calm the child to ease procedural pain (Rzucidlo & Campbell,
Key Factors contributing to Stress Pediatric burn trauma often exposes families’ to the acute care setting for the first time (Clukey, Curtis, Hayes & Merrill, 2009). As Patterson & Weichman suggest, anxiety related to a new …show more content…
Pain results in physical and significant psychological implications for patients and their families (Weichman & Patterson, 2004). One key psychological manifestation of pain is stress. For instance, as the affected child experiences pain, the family witnesses it, leading to significant stress for both (Zengerle-Levy, 2006). Consequently, pain management acts as a key strategy for stress reduction. Pharmacological intervention can ease patient pain. In addition, a nurse can ease the families stress by communicating the plan for pain management, and explaining any additional interventions that they undertake (Rzucidlo & Campbell, 2009). Although the literature clearly emphasizes the need for pharmacological interventions, it falls upon the nurse to incorporate non-pharmacological interventions for pain management (Weichman & Patterson, 2004). Non-pharmacological interventions provide an opportunity for the family to become involved. A nurse may encourage the family to utilize strategies to calm the child to ease procedural pain (Rzucidlo & Campbell,