title: [Understanding a hospitalized, school-aged child's stress in the PICU: the application of picture books in nursing care].
abstract: Hospitalization in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) can be a very stressful and sometimes traumatic experience for school-aged children due to illness, painful procedures, unfamiliar environment, and separation from family. We incorporated picture books into PICU nursing care to explore the stress response in a school-aged child with compartment syndrome who was hospitalized in the PICU. Observation, interview and communication with the patient were used to assess her psychological reactions and emotional and behavioral responses to stress related to hospitalization and medical treatment. Autonomy and control were provided and strengthened by giving the patient choices and purposive life plans. Picture books were used to establish rapport and help the patient express her feelings, needs, and desires for parental love and company. This case report highlights the importance of nurses' awareness of children's stresses and needs during hospitalization in the PICU as well as the value of picture books or other age-appropriate tools for this patient population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Pei-Ju
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jui-Ying
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Feng
mesh_terms: D001877:Books; D002648:Child; D002673:Child, Hospitalized / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000451:nursing*
keywords: pediatric intensive care unit; picture books; school-aged children; stress of hospitalization