The nurse contacts a child life specialist (CLS) to work with children on a pediatric ward. What is the primary goal of the CLS?

A) Decrease anxiety and fear during hospitalization and painful procedures
B) Keep children who are hospitalized distracted from pain
C) Perform medical procedures using atraumatic principles
D) Act as a liaison between the nurse and the child

The Child Life Specialist's primary goal is to decrease anxiety and fear in pediatric patients during hospitalization and medical procedures. They support emotional well-being, help children understand their illnesses and treatments, and provide therapeutic play and counseling.

Explanation:

The primary goal of a Child Life Specialist (CLS) is option A) To decrease anxiety and fear during hospitalization and painful procedures. This professional typically helps children understand their illnesses and treatments, prepares them for medical procedures, and provides therapeutic play and counseling to support their emotional well-being.

While all the given options are related to a Child Life Specialist's work, the primary objective is to help alleviate the psychological stress caused by illness and hospitalization. They use various strategies like play, preparation, education, and self-expression activities.

For instance, in the case of Carli's severe gastrointestinal distress, a CLS would have been able to explain her condition in a child-friendly manner, thus reducing her fear and anxiety about the unknown. They could also provide support during recovery, addressing key concerns as relayed by the recovering patient's medical team, which includes the surgeon, nurse, and anesthesia professional.

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