Family and Communication

Question 1

When communicating with children and their families, the pediatric nurse should:

Answer 1

*identify his/her role
*provide introductions for the care team and identify stakeholders, caregivers, and the child
*ensure privacy and proper setting
**provide anticipatory guidance
*allow time for questions and processing
be empathetic
be honest at all times
*sit eye level, especially with children

Question 2

physical barriers to communication

Answer 2

cleft lip, endotracheal tubing, paralyzed

Question 3

physiological barriers to communication

Answer 3

aphasia, pain, developmental stage (infants), hearing loss

Question 4

environmental barriers to communication

Answer 4

television, monitors, pumps, outside crowds

Question 5

true or false: never use family members as an interpreter

Answer 5

true

Question 6

communication interventions for infants

Answer 6

• communicate with parents often
• know the infant’s routine
• talk to infants to console them
• use gentle touch
• quickly respond to crying
• continuity of care (keep the same nurse with the same baby)
• use visual/auditory/tactile stimulation

Question 7

the nurse should be aware of these things when communicating with toddlers

Answer 7

• they are concrete and literal
• use statements like “good job” instead of “good girl/boy”
• they cannot separate their actions from the origin of pain experienced; blames self
• explores objects through touch
• use medical play to demonstrate procedures
• bleeding can be perceived as their “insides leaking out”; may comfort with bandage
• when taking an xray, they may smile for their “picture”
• assume that inanimate objects act and feel like humans

Question 8

interventions for school-age children

Answer 8

assign tasks (“jobs”)
offer choices
explain in simple terms
allow for play
provide diary/journal/support group for older children

Question 9

milestones/traits of school-age children (6-12yrs)

Answer 9

learns hands-on
seeks answers to questions (why)
energetic, curious
conceptualizes environment
independent communication

Question 10

milestones/traits of adolescents (13-18yrs)

Answer 10

forming independence (with most ADLs)
focus on social networks, friends
seeks counsel and feedback from friends
TRUST is important

Question 11

interventions for adolescents

Answer 11

open-ended questions
encourage expression of thoughts and feelings
don’t confuse physical maturity with emotional maturity
explain limits of confidentialities

Question 12

define the denial stage of grief

Answer 12

unwillingness to accept; lack of trust; confusion; fear

Question 13

define the anger stage of grief

Answer 13

aggression, frustration, irritation

Question 14

define the bargaining stage of grief

Answer 14

reliance of higher power; believing promises will solve problems

Question 15

define the depression stage of grief

Answer 15

crying, withdrawal, loss of appetite

Question 16

define the acceptance stage of grief

Answer 16

states understanding, positive outlook, discusses future