Distraction Techniques for the Pediatric Patient, Summaries of Nursing

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Distraction Techniques for the Pediatric Patient Britni D. Dickens ADN Program, Navarro College RSNG- 2435 - 61 Professor Catherine Van Zandt January 22, 2023

Distraction Techniques for the Pediatric Patient Immunization can be a source of severe anxiety and stress in the pediatric patient and the guardian accompanying them. As clinicians, it is important to realize the harm distress and anxiety surrounding a doctor visit can cause. It is important that patients feel comfortable and at ease in the healthcare setting, and to do this, doctors and nurses are taught to use a variety of age- appropriate distraction techniques. Do distraction techniques reduce stress in a child compared to no distraction, surprise poke? Research proves that by using distraction techniques, especially the novel distraction method, during the immunization process results in lowered distress in children and harbors a trusting relationship between the clinician and the patient. Parental Impact on the Immunization Process Many practitioners utilize the help of the accompanying adult to help calm down a child during their immunization. According to the article Pain reduction during pediatric immunizations: evidence-based review and recommendations, “parental demeanor clearly affects the child's pain behaviors. Excessive parental reassurance, criticism, or apology seems to increase distress” (Schechter et al., 2007). It is important to teach the accompanying adult proper ways to prepare the child and how to act during and after the immunizations are received because studies prove that “humor and distraction tend to decrease distress.” (Schechter et al., 2007). Parents should be reminded of these appropriate responses 48 hours before the appointment, and the practitioner should give them plenty of time to voice any concerns they have about the immunization process. This process allows the parent to not only prepare themselves for their child’s reaction, but it also instills trust between the guardian and the clinic. Trust is the key element to the novel distraction method we will discuss. You will see that by using this method, trust is instilled and therefore, distress for both the guardian and the child are reduced.

child for permission, followed by demonstration. The second step, the shot blocker, sets up a game for the child, and the third and final step is the distraction while the shot is being given. During the two studies, clinicians used a buzzer going up and down the arm to the elbow. After demonstrating how the “game” worked, one clinician played the buzzer game with the child, while the other clinician completed the immunization. Conclusion Studies have proven that distraction techniques help reduce the distress of a child caused by immunizations. It is important to use proper distraction techniques that build trust between the clinician, child, and guardians. Forms of distraction that result in an unexpected pain response “can lead to unintended and lasting negative outcomes, including subsequent distrust,” (Philadelphia, 2016). The novel distraction method allows the child to be prepared for the pain by demonstrating the process before hand and allows acceptance of the process as a “game”. The creation of a game reduces distress caused by the injection. References Schechter, N. L., Zempsky, W. T., Cohen, L. L., McGrath, P. J., McMurtry, C. M., & Bright, N. S. (2007). Pain Reduction During Pediatric Immunizations: Evidence-Based Review and Recommendations. PEDIATRICS , 119 (5), e1184–e1198. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2006- 1107 Philadelphia, T. C. H. of. (2016, May 20). News & Views: Successful Distraction for Childhood Immunizations: A Novel Technique. Www.chop.edu.

https://www.chop.edu/news/news-views-successful-distraction-childhood-immunizations-novel- technique