Patterns of parental stress in PICU emergency admission

Abstract

Emergency admission of a previously healthy child to a pediatric intensive care unit for a sudden critical illness or trauma is extremely stressful for the child and parents. Although nurses expect parents to be highly anxious, this study shows that parental anxiety levels are higher than expected, reaching near-panic levels initially. This article suggests ways nurses can adapt their family strategies to take into consideration parents' potential difficulties concentrating or even asking questions.