PEDIATRIC PALLIATIVE CARE

NEEDS ASSESSMENT
NATALIE I. KING
NUR4330G INDEPENDENT STUDY
OCTOBER 22, 2021

PARTNERSHIP
Interdisciplinary collaboration and teamwork contributes to the overall assessment of the child's functional status,
quality of life, religious and cultural values, and level of acceptance. All of these factors shape the types of
interventions considered to ensure optimal care is delivered and quality of life is maintained.

COMPREHENSIVENESS FLEXIBILITY
Care focuses on the whole child and pays special
attention to their psychological, emotional, Goals of care adjust as quality of life, symptoms, and
educational, and spiritual needs. prognosis change over the disease trajectory. It is
important to remind families that they can change
their mind or preferences at any time. Every plan of
care should be individualized to each child and their
family.

SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT PAIN MANAGEMENT

There are 6 general guiding principles used to Interventions are patient centered and are used
manage symptoms. to improve the quality of life
Common symptoms experienced by children and The goal is to prevent acute pain
adolescents suffering from life-threatening Common barriers to pain control in pediatric
diseases. patients

ROLE OF THE NURSE

Manages symptoms through frequent psychosocial,
spiritual, and physical assessments. Possibly, the
most important role of the nurse is serving as an
advocate for the child and their family.

REFERENCES
The Department of Health and Children & the Irish Hospice Foundation. (2005). Palliative care needs assessment for children. https://hospicefoundation.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/A-Palliative-Care-Needs-Assessment-for-Children-2005.pdf

End of Life Nursing Education Consortium. (n.d.). Pain management in pediatric palliative care [online course]. https://cequick.training.reliaslearning.com/Learning/CourseViewer.aspx?id=978162240

End of Life Nursing Education Consortium. (n.d.). Symptom management [online course]. https://cequick.training.reliaslearning.com/Learning/CourseViewer.aspx?id=978162239

National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. (2019). Standards for practice for pediatric palliative care. https://www.google.com/url?
sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjYwZWOieLzAhXKoHIEHb5YDn0QFnoECAcQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nhpco.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F07%2FPediatric_Standards.pdf&usg=AOvVaw3yGcSTznH-xdaebFNNBlBM