Parental perceptions of newborn pharmacologic paralysis

Area of Science:

• Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing
• Pediatric Critical Care
• Parental Adaptation

Background:

• Pharmacologic paralysis is a critical intervention for newborns requiring mechanical ventilation and extensive life support.
• Altered sensory-motor function and breathing necessitate intensive caretaker dependence.
• Immobility and treatment protocols may impact parental interaction with the critically ill newborn.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore parental perceptual responses to pharmacologic paralysis in newborns.
• To identify parental feelings, values, and needs during this therapy.
• To understand the impact of pharmacologic paralysis on the parent-newborn dyad.

Main Methods:

• Descriptive exploratory study utilizing a convenience sample of 9 parent-dyads.
• Retrospective, open-ended interviews conducted in homes or critical care units.
• Content analysis and descriptive statistics applied to interview data and chart reviews.

Main Results:

• Common perceptual themes identified: empathy, normalcy, acceptance, and sedative association.
• Ancillary experiences revealed themes of guilt, separation, shock, anxiety, and uncertainty.
• Parental responses were coded separately for mothers and fathers.

Conclusions:

• Nurses can provide a supportive team approach by addressing parental feelings, values, and needs.
• Understanding parental perceptions is crucial for effective family-centered care in neonatal critical care.
• Guidance and support frameworks can enhance the experience for parents of newborns undergoing pharmacologic paralysis.