Care plan for hospital anxiety in children

Abstract

Paediatric hospital admission generates adverse feelings and increases the child’s vulnerability, causing anxiety, fear, apathy and sleep disturbances with possible long-term repercussions, so its management by nursing is fundamental. We present the case of an 8-year-old girl admitted to paediatric traumatology for a forearm fracture after a fall, subjected daily to painful procedures that cause her anxiety, distress, pain and fear, with difficulty sleeping and fear of healthcare staff. After assessment according to Marjory Gordon’s 11 functional health patterns, the diagnosis of anxiety was identified and a care plan was developed with the NANDA, NOC and NIC taxonomies (anxiety level and child fear level), with interventions such as anxiety reduction, distraction, relaxation technique and music therapy. Applied over two weeks, the plan improved all outcome indicators, with music therapy standing out as the most effective intervention for reducing anxiety and as a distraction method during procedures, and it is concluded that nursing interventions are effective against childhood anxiety.