title: Preserving dignity in the young hospitalized child.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Bodily intrusion and exposure are common experiences for hospitalized children. Placing children in such compromising situations can have a significant impact on their self-perception.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To recognize pediatric patients' inherent powerlessness in the hospital setting and suggest strategies to overcome it.
  
  
  METHODS
  Published literature and author's clinical experiences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nurses have a key role in ensuring that the psychosocial issues of privacy, modesty, and self-esteem are recognized, respected, and incorporated appropriately into their clinical practice when caring for hospitalized children.
authors.affiliation: University of Florida, College of Nursing, Gainesville, FL, USA. popovdm@nursing.ufl.edu
authors.forename: Deborah M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Popovich
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001828:Body Image; D002648:Child; D002673:Child, Hospitalized / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000523:psychology; D010358:Patient Participation; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D011209:Power, Psychological; D018907:Privacy; D002666:Psychology, Child; D012649:Self Concept; D012752:Shame