5 Hospitalized Child Nursing Care Plans

Self-Care Deficit

When a child is hospitalized and experiencing discomfort, they may not have the physical ability or energy to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, grooming, and eating. This can lead to a self-care deficit as the child is unable to meet their own basic needs without assistance.

Nursing Diagnosis

• Self-Care Deficit

May be related to

• Pain/discomfort
• Inability to perform ADL

Possibly evidenced by

• Inability to wash the body, take off or put on clothing, feed self
• Inability to carry out toileting with the use of a bedpan or go to the bathroom
• Required bed rest
• The positioning or mechanical limitations
• Fatigue, Weakness

Desired Outcomes

• The child will attain maximum self-care capability with or without the use of aids.

Nursing Assessment and Rationales

1. Assess physical tolerance and abilities to perform ADL, and play activities and restrictions imposed by the illness and medical protocol.
Provides information about the amount of energy and the effect of illness on activity level.

Nursing Interventions and Rationales

1. Provide personal care for the infant and small child; assist the child and adjust times and methods to fit the home routine.
Provides needed assistance where using patterns and articles that encourage the parent to assist the child. The child is accustomed to using and doing.

2. Anticipate the child’s needs for toileting, feeding, brushing teeth, bathing, and other care if unable to manage on own; allow the child to do as much as possible.
Prevents embarrassing experiences with toileting and maintains comfort with personal cleanliness and appearance.

3. Praise the child for participation in own care according to age, developmental level, and energy.
Promotes self-esteem and independence.

4. Balance activities with rest as needed; place needed articles and call light within reach if appropriate.
Prevents fatigue by conserving energy and promoting rest.

5. Provide assistive aids or devices to perform ADL, and allow choices when possible.
Assists child in performing self-care for ADL.

6. Encourage rest and quiet periods.
Ensures proper rest and prevents fatigue.

7. Instruct parents to interpret the child’s needs if the child is too young to talk.
Provides anticipatory care for the child.

8. Provide instructions in bathing, hygiene, toileting, feeding, and dressing while in a hospital environment and inform of differences from home care and methods as needed.
Promotes performance of ADL skills already known by the child.

9. Encourage parents to assist the child in ADL but to allow the child as much independence as the condition permits; inform parents that a place is provided for their personal needs in order to allow them to remain with the child.
Promotes independence and some control by the child without separating the child from parents.