Last, but not least, make sure that immunizations are current. Keep up with routine dental, vision, and hearing screenings, if necessary. Don't forget that kids need their first dental exam by 30 months of age. By assigning consistent caregivers and adhering to a daily schedule plan, nurses can build a trusting relationship, one of the basic needs in a child's social development. A structured routine allows the younger child to know what to expect, provides a sense of security, and encourages participation in age-appropriate activities.
Nurses can help to involve the family into the child's daily life as much as possible.
Make it easy for family members to initiate contact with caregivers by providing special phone numbers and scheduled telephone times. When visiting is restricted, encourage family members to phone and to leave taped messages for the child so that he or she can learn to recognize their voices. Collect a monthly packet of such things as the child's drawings, tracings of hands and feet, and photographs for the family. Parents may need to maintain a CVL and a gastrostomy tube and must be taught what to do if they are accidentally dislodged. They must be able to observe for symptoms of deterioration, such as fever, lethargy, dry mucous membranes, and nausea and vomiting.