Question

Bobby was hospitalized 6 days ago for appendicitis. After an appendectomy following a perforated appendix, he now has an open incision requiring BID dressing changes and contact isolation due to a hospital acquired MRSA infection. It is anticipated that he will be here for 5-10 more days for long term antibiotic therapy and wound care. He is 13 years old. He has been afebrile for 24 hours. The wound is open with minimal serous drainage.

He is withdrawn and relates "just tired" when you inquire about how he is this morning. Last week he shared his interest in school. Gets A's in math, computer science and was supposed to be competing in the school science fair this week.

What do you know about the adolescent and the appropriate developmental level?

Keeping his diagnosis in mind, what about visitation?

Is socialization a need?

What other questions should you ask?

Answer 1

1. Adolescent is a period between 12 to 18 years which is full of characteristics accelerating physical and, psychological and behavioural changes which brings about transformation from childhood to adulthood.

Adolescent age is highly sensitive to criticism . In this age they concentrate on their body image. They want to be independent . They are anxious and wants to take their own decision.

2. He may not like visitors . Now he may feel his body image is not good , so he will not like to meet anyone especially his age group or peers to visit him .

3.Although they wanted to be socially connected, they spend more time alone . So socialization is not necessary when he is in hospital.

4. He search for identity. He may have feeling of shy.