Comforting a Sick Child in a Hospital Setting

Medical care for children is varied and complicated. For the purpose of this article, we will use a ten-year-old age range as an example.

I am a baby boomer. We are a breed apart from generation Xers. When I was a child we were taught to be seen, not heard. We were taught manners; we ate after adults; a stern look from mother or father was enough to know you were about to cross the line. Children today often do as they please when they please. They do things in public that make me embarrassed for the parent. They are different; yet, they are children.

In that light, a child who is sick is a sick child...period. They must be treated gently, not in a rude nor hurried fashion. Most importantly, explain what you are going to do before you do it. Explain before you bring in the suture kit; perhaps, while you are cleaning the wound. A child is scared when they are injured or sick; but, in many ways, are more understanding and willing to listen to information than an adult. In many cases, they tolerate the treatment better than an adult.

I had quite a varied career in nursing. One facet of my career included working as an IV technician. We were responsible for starting the IV on the patient, generally using an angiocath and a machine that correctly dispensed the proper infusion rate. This involved quite a bit of tubing; a tall IV pole to which the robotic-like machine was attached. Hopefully, the nurse was successful in hitting the vein and getting a "flash" on the first try; but, not always. At any rate, the menagerie of tubing and equipment was enough to make an adult nervous, let alone a 10-year-old child.

In my experience, I would leave my tray and all the equipment outside the room; put on my best "bedside manner" , introduce myself and sit on the bed with the child's hand in mine...and tell the truth. Mother or father or both were welcome to sit in on the introduction. First and foremost, do not lie to a child. I would approach the situation something like this, as would other members of our IV team:

"We have a treatment for you that the doctor ordered to make you feel better and allow you to go home with your parents sooner, we hope. I have a robot outside that is attached to a pole and there is a bag of water, which is actually special water to help you. The robot just pushes the water into a needle I will have to stick into your arm (In some cases, show the child the needle in the wrapper). I will wrap a large rubber band tightly around your upper arm (demonstrate). This will make the veins stand out and make it easier to insert the needle." Show the child the blue veins.

"In some cases, I will sharply pat your arm to make the vein angry. This will make it really stand out. The stick will hurt, something like a bee sting or a pinch. You can close your eyes and squeeze your mom's hand with your other if you like. You can yell; you can cry, just try and hold the arm we are working on very still. In some cases I will miss the vein and have to start again. I'm pretty good, so that's not likely to happen, but we all make mistakes and I may have to try again. When I get the catheter or needle in your arm, hold very still as I must tape it carefully so it won't come out. Do you have any questions before we begin?"

If you approach the child honestly and thoroughly they are, more often than not, better patients than adults. I used IV therapy as an example here, but the same applies with anything you do. Children naturally distrust people in an environment such as a hospital. They don't understand what is wrong with them and their surroundings, the loud speaker, the questionable food, strange people wandering in and out of their room...it scares them. To have someone talk with them and explain how the Doctor is going to put a cast on their arm or whatever is comforting and reassuring to a child.

Even though we were brought up in different circumstances and in different situations, we were all children once; and, we understand monsters in the closet.