Solutions for Difficult Problems: Pediatric Nail Bed Laceration Basics – Part 3

​Our pediatric patient population is special, small humans with distinctive needs, medication doses, and unexpected challenges. The more you use the simple approach to pediatric emergency department procedures, the more you will experience faster, smoother, and better results.​You don't have to get fancy unless of course you have a Child Life Program in your department. The materials are simple and the skill is straightforward. Adding a sense of humor, learning the words to "Frozen," and laughing with your pediatric patient (whenever possible) will also help ease the tension.A 4-year-old with pediatric nail bed laceration and partial nail bed avulsion.Children, just like adults, don't like when you lie to them. It's important you give them just enough details to be able to complete your procedure. Be careful not to divulge too much scary information because it will just make treatment more difficult. Be aware of age-appropriate milestones and emotional development. Use suitable language to describe things to your patient, and involve the parent the entire time. Consider having mom or dad hold the gauze or a Band-Aid. Any complex or scary conversations should be held outside the room away from children's ears. Remember, don't use medications if they are not indicated and you can get through a procedure without them. Some kids are actually braver than you think. But do not hesitate to use light sedation if it will be safer for the patient, less stressful for the p...
Source: The Procedural Pause - Category: Emergency Medicine Tags: Blog Posts Source Type: blogs