You are a nurse conducting a physical assessment of a child between the ages of 3 and 12 at an urgent care clinic. Describe how your communication would be adapted to be able to effectively communicate with a patient of this age. What strategies would you use to encourage engagement with the child?
Initial discussion question posts should be a minimum of 200 words and include at least two references cited using APA format.
When conducting a physical assessment of a child between the ages of 3 and 12 at an urgent care clinic, it is essential to adapt communication strategies to ensure the child feels safe, comfortable, and engaged. At this age, children may have limited understanding of medical procedures and may feel anxious about the visit. Therefore, the communication should be clear, age-appropriate, and compassionate.
Verbal Communication: Use simple, straightforward language to explain the purpose of the visit and each part of the assessment. Avoid medical jargon and complex explanations. For example, instead of saying “I’m going to take your blood pressure,” you could say, “I’m going to wrap this band around your arm to see how strong your heart is beating.” This helps children understand what’s happening without feeling frightened or confused. Also, engage them by asking questions like, “Do you know why we are here today?” to check their understanding and allow them to express any concerns.
Non-Verbal Communication: Body language is crucial when communicating with children. Kneel or sit at eye level with the child to make the interaction less intimidating. A friendly, calm demeanor can help to build trust. Smiling, making eye contact, and using soft, gentle touch can further reassure the child during the physical exam.
Engagement Strategies: To encourage engagement, use toys or visuals. Bringing in a stuffed animal or a toy stethoscope can help the child relate to the process. Asking the child to show where they feel pain or encouraging them to “help” with the assessment (e.g., holding a thermometer) gives them a sense of control. Praise and positive reinforcement, such as saying, “You did a great job!” after each step, can also motivate cooperation.
By creating a friendly, supportive environment and tailoring communication to the child’s developmental stage, the nurse can foster a more positive and effective assessment experience.
References: Loyd, D., & Carroll, K. (2017). Communicating with children: An introduction for healthcare providers. Pediatric Nursing, 43(4), 180-186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2017.04.003
Teoh, S. L., & Chia, W. H. (2021). Communication with pediatric patients in a clinical setting: How to engage and build rapport. Pediatric Health, Medicine and Therapeutics, 12, 95-102. https://doi.org/10.2147/PHMT.S313469