Beyond the Physical Injuries

Abstract

Experiencing a traumatic event and then the required care for the physical injuries can elicit stress symptoms in the injured child and parents. Stress-related symptoms affect a significant number of injured children and can have an impact on emotional and physical health outcomes after injury. Yet the majority of children who suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder postinjury go undiagnosed and untreated. Medical traumatic stress symptoms that occur often as adaptive responses initially can persist. Acute stress disorder is diagnosed when the stress symptoms persist less than 1 month postinjury and affect normal functioning. Inclusion of screening for acute stress and the development of models and guidelines are needed to systematically incorporate the care for the emotional trauma as an integral part of pediatric trauma care. Pediatric trauma nurses with knowledge and resources are in a position to minimize potentially traumatic aspects of the care they deliver, recognize traumatic stress symptoms, and help parents to support their child's coping and promote appropriate help seeking.

After the ABCs

“…ASD occurs when symptoms including impairment in social, occupational, and other areas of functioning last less than 1 month after injury (Rzucidlo & Campbell, 2009). Acute responses can be disruptive but may lessen naturally over time (Langeland & Olff, 2008).…”

“…The diagnosis of PTSD requires symptoms persisting for at least 1 month and includes reexperiencing the inciting event by way of intrusive thoughts or images of the traumatic event that they may encounter in their day-to-day lives, avoidance of reminders of the event, and hyperarousal such as exaggerated startle response or hypervigilance (Rzucidlo & Campbell, 2009;Winston et al, 2003). These triggers may significantly alter the child's ability to successfully function in home and school settings.…”