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He is withdrawn and relates "just tired" when you inquire about how he is this morning.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

Adolescent

A teenager, / a juvenile after puberty/ Characteristic of under going adolescence.

Adolescence

Transitioal period of physical and psychological development between childhood and maturity. During adolescence , the body and mind go through many complex changes. Developmental stages of adolescence are divided into early, middle and late adolescence. Bobby can be in the stage of early adolescence( 10- 13).

Visitation: MRSA ( Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection) is a common Nosocomial infection or the Hospital Acquired infection.It can be spread through unclean hands of Healthcare staffs or visitors and also through contaminated medical equipment, bed linens or towels. Most of the hospitals are using contact precautions and limited patient visit by friends and family members.

Like health care providers, visitors also must be asked to wear protective clothing ( gloves, gowns over their clothing) and wash hands. After visiting the patient , they have to remove their gloves and gowns and wash their hands.

Isolation:

The state of being isolated to prevent cross infection and for the sake of safety of patient and the visitors is called isolation.

MRSA patients are asked to stay in the rooms and they will have a single room not shared room. They will not be allowed to go to common areas in the hospital such as canteen. Visitors and healthcare providers have to wash the hands and wear protective clothing while visiting the patient.

Socialization

The act of interacting with others is called socialization. Socialization with peers and friends are very important for adolescents. Separation from the friends group, school environment and loss of peer acceptance are acting as the common stressors for adolescents.

Other Questions

Adolescents often feel hesitation to express their feelings. Respect his privacy while caring and asking questions. Encourage him by telling that he can be an active student against in the school after his recovery. Ask him about his friends group and whether he interested if a peer group visit him in the hospital. ( if hospital policy support it). He may enjoy that. Encourage him to express his concerns over his health and also the feelings regarding missing the opportunity for science fair in the school. Ask him if he wants to watch a movie or play a normal video game.