title: Night terrors: strategies for family coping.
abstract: This article discusses the occurrence of night terrors (parvor nocturnus) in children. The characteristics of a typical night terror incident are described, as are the common parental reactions to such frightening events. Nurses who work with children and families need to know about the etiology and clinical course of night terrors. They need to be able to differentiate night terrors from other sleep disturbances and determine possible ways to alleviate the occurrences. This article emphasizes assessment, anticipatory guidance, education, and counseling. A practical guide for parents is included to provide families with information on ways to cope with night terrors.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gates
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Morwessel
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D002648:Child; D004325:Dreams; D006801:Humans; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology