What are the essential communication strategies for a nurse to use when interacting with a 10-year-old male (M) patient and their mother in a pediatric nursing setting?

Essential Communication Strategies for Pediatric Nurses with a 10-Year-Old Male Patient and Mother

The most effective pediatric nursing communication approach for a 10-year-old male patient and his mother involves age-appropriate explanations, active listening, and engaging both the child and parent as partners in care. 1

Understanding Developmental Context

• A 10-year-old child is in the concrete operational stage of cognitive development, with increased logical thinking abilities and understanding of cause and effect relationships. 1
• Children at this age can view situations from multiple perspectives, generalize from experiences, and have a concept of past and future. 1
• They have improved language and neuromuscular skills and seek to master situations. 1
• School-age children have increased awareness of internal body parts and body functions, and they fear loss of body parts, disability, and loss of control. 1
• Peers are gaining importance at this age, though parents remain significant. 1

Communication Strategies with the Child

Verbal Communication

• Use simple language and avoid medical terminology, but recognize that 10-year-olds can understand more complex explanations than younger children. 1
• Provide information approximately one week before procedures, as school-age children respond optimally to this timing. 1
• Explain procedures using analogies from the child's world (e.g., "It's like taking a photograph - you need to stay still so it's not blurry"). 1
• Encourage questions and create an environment where the child feels comfortable asking them. 2
• Limit sharing of personal experiences to keep focus on the child. 1
• Avoid telling the child how they "ought to feel" about their situation. 1

Non-Verbal Communication

• Maintain appropriate eye contact to demonstrate attentiveness. 3, 4
• Use expressive techniques such as drawing or engaging in activities while talking to help children who may be reluctant to communicate directly. 1
• Listen and observe more than you talk; being present while the child expresses themselves is highly supportive. 1, 4
• Use appropriate touch when necessary to provide comfort and reassurance. 4

Engaging with the Mother

• Recognize that parents are often more worried than the child and may need additional support. 1
• Use active listening and open-ended questions to understand the mother's concerns. 1
• Avoid criticizing parental anxiety or difficulties in calming the child. 1
• Provide clear instructions on what is required of the child during examinations/procedures and how the mother can support her child. 1
• Ensure the mother feels valued and engaged throughout all interactions. 1
• Use both open questions (e.g., "Is there anything specific you want me to know?") and closed questions (e.g., "Did you read the information we sent?") as effective communication techniques. 1

Balancing Triadic Communication

• Establish a balanced approach between dyadic communication (nurse-child) and triadic communication (nurse-parent-child). 5
• Address both the child and mother directly, avoiding speaking about the child as if they aren't present. 5
• Recognize that parental behaviors can enhance children's coping abilities (engaging in humorous conversation, promoting coping skills) or increase stress (criticism, excessive verbal reassurance). 1
• Create opportunities for both joint and separate conversations when appropriate. 5

Building Trust and Rapport

• Be genuine and authentic; children can detect when adults are not being sincere. 1
• Introduce yourself and explain your role clearly to both the child and mother. 1
• Respect personal space and minimize potentially threatening body language. 1
• Offer practical advice and appropriate reassurance without minimizing concerns. 1
• Use positive reinforcement and reward cooperative behavior. 1
• Communicate your availability to provide support over time. 1

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Avoid attempts to "cheer up" the child with statements beginning with "at least..." as these minimize their feelings. 1
• Don't instruct children to hide their emotions (e.g., "Be brave" or "Big boys don't cry"). 1
• Avoid communicating that you know exactly how they feel; instead, ask them to share their feelings. 1
• Don't make comparisons with your own experiences, as this shifts focus away from the child. 1
• Avoid using medical jargon that might confuse or frighten the child. 1
• Don't assume the child and mother fully understand procedures; always verify their understanding. 1

Creating a Supportive Environment

• Use child-friendly decorations and age-appropriate toys/activities to create a welcoming atmosphere. 1
• Provide distraction techniques during potentially stressful moments (videos, games, conversation). 1
• Allow the child to have familiar comfort items (toys, blankets) during procedures. 1
• Minimize separation from parents whenever possible. 1
• Use play as a communication tool, particularly when explaining procedures or helping the child process experiences. 1

By implementing these communication strategies, pediatric nurses can establish effective relationships with both the 10-year-old patient and his mother, leading to improved care experiences and outcomes. 2, 3