Perioperative Considerations for Pediatric Patients
It is vital to remember that children are not just little adults. They are different anatomically and physiologically. Children are also quite different depending on their developmental state.
Pediatric surgery is most often performed to correct congenital anomalies or to treat traumatic injury.
When preparing to care for a pediatric patient, it is important to consider the anatomical and physiologic differences.
(Smith & Scully, 2019)
Developmental Stages and Considerations of Pediatric Patients
Click on each developmental stage to learn more about the pediatric patient’s developmental characteristics, fears, and their coping methods. Then click on the perioperative nurse to learn about techniques that can be used in the OR when caring for a pediatric patient in this stage.
(Shields, 2010; Smith & Scully, 2019)
Neonate (birth-1 month) and Infants (1 month –12 months)
Toddlers (1-3 years)
Pre-School (3-6 years)
School Age (6-12 years)
Adolescent (12-18 years)
Psychosocial Care of the Child in the OR
When the perioperative nurse brings a child to the OR, it is vital that both the child and family feel they are in safe hands. Building trust and rapport through patient and family centered care is a key aspect of the pre-operative assessment. For the perioperative nurse to do this successfully, it is imperative to understand the key developmental characteristics of children in different age groups, to recognize their fears and how they cope. With this understanding, the perioperative nurse can work with the family to produce a plan and employ different techniques to support a child as they enter the OR.
Informed Consent
It is important to check the hospital policy on informed consent for minors. While the age of majority in Ontario is 18, does that mean children cannot consent for treatment?
Canadian Law
Check out this website which summarizes the Canadian law regarding age of consent and advance directives.
Read Article
🧠 Graded Activity
In Blackboard, complete the Graded Activity: Age of Consent.
Differences in the Operating Room when Caring for a Pediatric Patient
📽️ AORN CINE-MED VIDEO
Navigate to the AORN Cine-Med website and make sure that you are logged in before clicking on the link below.
- Watch the AORN Cine-Med Video on: Special Considerations for the Pediatric Surgical Patient
- Download the Study Guide included to follow along.
- (Thread to follow in Cine-Med – Specialty Perioperative Education Care of the pediatric patient in surgery: Neonatal through adolescence)
- Runtime – 54 minutes