A nurse is preparing to perform a venipuncture on a 4-year-old child. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to ensure atraumatic care?
A.
Ask the child’s parent to leave the room during the procedure.
B.
Perform the procedure in the unit’s playroom.
C.
Apply a topical anesthetic cream 1 hr prior to the procedure.
D.
Explain the procedure in detail to the child 3 hr prior to the procedure.
The correct answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is C. Apply a topical anesthetic cream 1 hr prior to the procedure.
Explanation:
Atraumatic care refers to the practice of minimizing physical and psychological stress for pediatric patients during healthcare procedures. When performing a venipuncture on a 4-year-old child, several key strategies can be implemented to reduce pain and anxiety, and option C is an example of this approach.
C. Apply a topical anesthetic cream 1 hr prior to the procedure:
This action directly reduces the physical pain associated with the needle stick. Topical anesthetic creams, such as EMLA (eutectic mixture of local anesthetics), numb the skin and underlying tissues, significantly minimizing the discomfort experienced during venipuncture. This allows for a more positive experience and helps to build trust between the child, parents, and healthcare provider. The cream typically needs about 30 to 60 minutes to be fully effective, making it important to apply it in advance.
A. Ask the child’s parent to leave the room during the procedure:
This is generally not advisable. For young children, having a familiar presence like a parent in the room can help reduce anxiety. Children often feel more secure when their parents are present, and the parent can provide emotional support during the procedure.
B. Perform the procedure in the unit’s playroom:
This is not ideal because the playroom should be a safe space for the child, free from medical procedures. Performing procedures in a non-designated medical space may cause the child to associate play areas with fear and discomfort.
D. Explain the procedure in detail to the child 3 hr prior:
Children at the age of 4 have limited attention spans and may not benefit from detailed explanations far in advance. It is better to provide simple, age-appropriate explanations closer to the procedure.
In conclusion, applying a topical anesthetic cream is an evidence-based method to ensure atraumatic care for children undergoing venipuncture.