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The pediatric physiologic stress response: a concept analysis
1University of Pennsylvania, USA.
Insights
Pediatric nurses are increasingly interested in infant and child stress responses. Understanding the pediatric physiological stress response is crucial for accurate assessment and intervention by nurses.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nursing
- Physiology
- Child Psychology
Background:
- Pediatric nurses have long studied stress in children.
- There is growing interest in nurses' own physiological stress responses.
- Pediatric critical care nurses constantly monitor children's physiological stability and responses to stressors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a concept analysis of the pediatric physiological stress response.
- To enhance nurses' understanding of age-appropriate physiological stress responses in children.
- To provide a framework for assessing and evaluating pediatric stress responses.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Walker and Avant (1988) concept analysis strategy.
- Conducted a comprehensive literature review.
- Identified defining attributes, empirical referents, antecedents, and consequences of the concept.
Main Results:
- Developed a model of the pediatric physiological stress response.
- Constructed model and alternative cases for clearer concept definition.
- Identified implications for future nursing research.
Conclusions:
- A clearer understanding of the pediatric physiological stress response is essential for accurate clinical assessment.
- This concept analysis provides a foundation for further research and evidence-based nursing practice.
- Further research is needed to explore the implications for nursing practice and education.
Abstract:
Pediatric nurses have had a long-standing interest in stress and its effect on infants and children. Recently, there has been increasing interest in the physiological stress response on the part of nurses. While in the pediatric critical care setting, nurses continually assess the physiologic stability of the critically ill child, as well as the child's responses to a variety of interpersonal interactions, clinical interventions, and treatments. This status is continually challenged by a multitude of stressors which induce subsequent responses by the child. Only through a better understanding of the age-appropriate physiologic stress response can nurses accurately confirm its presence and evaluate its potential consequences. A concept analysis of the pediatric physiological stress response was conducted, primarily using the strategy recommended by Walker and Avant (1988). Accordingly, this analysis included: (1) a literature review; (2) determination of possible uses of the concept; (3) selection of defining attributes; (4) identification of empirical referents; (5) identification of antecedents and consequences; (6) construction of model and alternative cases; and (7) review of implications for nursing research.