Special Needs Basics
A child with a chronic illness who requires long-term therapy and specialized medical care is considered what type of pediatric patient?
Answer: What is a child with special health care needs?
Rationale: Includes physical, developmental, emotional, or behavioral conditions requiring more than routine care.
Parents describe exhaustion and financial strain caring for their chronically ill child. What is this phenomenon called?
Answer: What is caregiver burden or caregiver fatigue?
The nurse’s top priority for a tech-dependent child at home (e.g., ventilator or feeding tube) is what?
Answer: What is ensuring caregiver competency and home safety?
Failure to thrive (FTT) is primarily diagnosed by what key indicator?
Answer: What is inadequate growth based on standard growth charts?
Which nursing goal is most important during pediatric palliative care?
Answer: What is comfort and quality of life for the child and family?
Which goal of care best supports a child with complex, chronic health needs at home?
Answer: What is promoting and maintaining optimal health in the home environment?
Rationale: Home care supports normalcy and reduces hospital stress.
At which times are families of children with special needs most vulnerable to stress?
Answer: What are transition points such as new diagnoses, hospitalizations, or developmental milestones?
What is one major advantage of home health care for children with chronic illness?
Answer: What is reduced cost and improved comfort in a familiar environment?
List two possible organic causes of FTT.
Answer: What are malabsorption, congenital heart disease, or chronic infection?
Parents of a terminally ill toddler want to avoid sedation from pain meds. Which nonpharmacologic method supports comfort?
Answer: What is gentle massage or physical touch by parents?
What risk factor often leads to the development of Vulnerable Child Syndrome?
Answer: What is a history of preterm birth, congenital anomaly, or severe illness/trauma?
Rationale: Early critical illness can cause parental overprotection and anxiety.
Siblings of special needs children may experience what emotional response?
Answer: What is neglect, jealousy, or guilt due to divided parental attention?
Name one disadvantage of home health care.
Answer: What is caregiver stress, privacy issues, or financial strain?
List two nonorganic causes of FTT.
Answer: What are impaired bonding or incorrect formula preparation?
When should transition planning for adolescents with special needs begin?
Answer: What is during early adolescence (around age 12–14)?
A nurse coordinates multiple services (therapy, equipment, specialists) for a child. What nursing role does this describe?
Answer: What is case manager or care coordinator?
Rationale: Ensures collaboration across interdisciplinary teams.
When parents feel overprotective due to fear of losing a previously ill child, what condition may develop?
Answer: What is Vulnerable Child Syndrome?
What is the nurse’s role during discharge planning for a special needs child?
Answer: What is teaching, resource referral, and verifying family readiness?
Which developmental stage is most affected by chronic illness in toddlers?
Answer: What is autonomy vs. shame and doubt?
Rationale: Illness can limit independence and control.
What document allows families to outline end-of-life wishes such as “Allow Natural Death”?
Answer: What is an advance directive (AND or DNR)?
Name two complementary therapies used to support children with special needs.
Answer: What are massage, pet therapy, music therapy, or hippotherapy?
Rationale: Such therapies promote relaxation and enhance coping.
Which nursing action best helps families adapt to long-term caregiving demands?
Answer: What is connecting them to respite care and community resources?
What nursing action supports continuity of care from hospital to home?
Answer: What is establishing case management and follow-up appointments?
For adolescents with chronic illness, the main developmental conflict is between what two stages?
Answer: What are identity vs. role confusion?
After a child’s death, organ donation discussions should occur when?
Answer: What is after death has been confirmed and separate from death notification?