Introduction
When children are at the terminal phase of illness, their siblings are very concerned about them, their health, and progress. Subsequently, this finding reveals that there is need for health care professionals to interact, console, and give these children hope. I chose this topic because it is very much connected to children and their psychological connection to their siblings. A sibling who is psychologically prepared for any stage in the illness of their sibling is able to cope better compared to the one who is not psychologically prepared. Therefore, there is a distinct perception of children in the hospital setting and those in the home setting.
- (Gooding 145) according to Gooding, the clinical question should be based on siblings of actively dying children who are prepared and involved in various activities to facilitate the necessary grief responses. End-of-life care is one aspect of palliative care that supports a dignified and peaceful death for the child. Therefore, neonatal nurses play a major
- (Gries 78) according to Gries, death of a sibling is a very symbolic event to a child. Even before a sibling to a child dies, the terminal phase of the illness affects the sibling to an extent of being traumatized. Siblings of the ill patient are concerned about their ability to comfort their brother or sister, pain that the child is undergoing, and social support.
- (Hockenberry 424) according to Hockenberry, a sibling who has been left by the brother or sister faces great challenges trying to cope with the situation. They are too young to bare such lose, secondly, they their close connection with the dead brother sister is unimaginable. Prompt intervention in such situations is very important in comforting the sibling. Both health professional and parents have a duty to console the kid to keep their minds away from the event. Before the sibling dies, a lot crosses the mind of the other sibling. They wish and pray for quick recovery and reunion with their ill brother or sister.
- (Kreitler 617) according to Kreitler, conversations are easier once people approach from the understanding that, no one can avoid it, and that the experience is universal. If no family member talks about the dying, then dying is on everyone’s mind, or no one is willing to acknowledge that the illness is progressing. In most instances, there is a plan to keep silent in order to keep siblings away from discussing deepest fears and painful feelings.
- (Teno 210) according to Teno, When children are at the terminal phase of illness, their siblings are very concerned about them, their health, and progress. RNs and families should help these kids cope with the regretful situation in the best way possible. Moral support, guidance, love, and normalcy during devastating times such as illness play the biggest part in giving hope to the sick patient and their siblings.
- (Thompson 97) according to Thompson, reveals that there is need for health care professionals to interact, console, and give these children hope. The RN for instance, has a major role to play in keeping children interact and involved in a normal manner, giving the appropriate information, and explaining changes.
Summary
This study has revealed that end-of-life nursing care plays a major role in determining the reaction of distressed siblings. RNs, parents, and family members of the ill sibling have a duty of comforting and giving the patient hope. Subsequently, a sibling who is psychologically prepared for any stage in the illness of their sibling is able to cope better compared to the one who is not psychologically prepared. There is a distinct perception of children in the hospital setting and those in the home setting. When children are at the terminal phase of illness, their siblings are very concerned about them, their health, and progress.
Recommendation
RNs and families should help siblings who are left by their brother or sister cope with the regretful situation in the best way possible. Moral support, guidance, love, and normalcy during devastating times such as illness play the biggest part in giving hope to the sick patient and their siblings.
Works Cited
Gooding, J. S., Cooper, L. G., Blaine, A. I., Franck, L. S., Howse, J. L., & Berns, S. D. (2011, February). Family support and family-centered care in the neonatal intensive care unit: origins, advances, impact. In Seminars in perinatology (Vol. 35, No. 1, pp. 20-28). WB Saunders.
Gries, C. J., Curtis, J. R., Wall, R. J., & Engelberg, R. A. (2008). Family member satisfaction with end-of-life decision making in the ICU. Chest journal, 133(3), 704-712.
Hockenberry, M. J., Wong, D. L., Wilson, D., & Wong, D. L. (2013). Wong's nursing care of infants and children. St. Louis, Mo: Elsevier Mosby.
Kreitler, S., Weyl, B. A. M., & Martin, A. (2012). Pediatric psycho-oncology: Psychosocial aspects and clinical interventions. Chichester, West Sussex: Wiley-Blackwell.
Teno, J. M., Gruneir, A., Schwartz, Z., Nanda, A., & Wetle, T. (2007). Association Between Advance Directives and Quality of End‐of‐Life Care: A National Study. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 55(2), 189-194.
Thompson, R. A. (2009). The Handbook of Child Life: A Guide for Pediatric Psychosocial Care. Springfield: Charles C Thomas Publisher, LTD.
