Word limit: 1500 words

The completed essay will need to be submitted via the NURS Health of Infants, Children and Adolescents course site Assignment 1: essay submission link by the assessment due date.

Aim:

The aim of this essay is to demonstrate your understanding of how COVID-19 may impact the mental health of a paediatric patient.

Course Objectives Assessed:

CO1. Explain the role of the Registered Nurse in family-centred care.
CO3. Apply current evidence to develop, implement and critically evaluate a person-centred plan of care for infants, children and adolescents with health problems.
CO6. Analyse the cultural, legal and ethical considerations related to caring for infants, children and adolescents with health problems.

What you need to do:
In this essay you will need to:
Demonstrate your understanding of psychosocial development theory. Describe how this concept will inform the role of the Registered nurse when caring for a paediatric patient who may be experiencing mental health problems due to COVID-19.

Scenario:
You are a Registered nurse (RN) working in a community clinic. Today, four-year old Ava Chalmers has presented to the community clinic, with her mother, for the Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis and Polio immunisation. Ava attends kindergarten three days a week.

You ask Ava how she is feeling, and Ava states she is very worried about getting sick. She is sad because she was not able to see her friends and she misses them. She does not understand why the grown-ups are wearing masks and why her teacher said not to hug her friends. The last time Ava went to kindergarten, the teacher noted she could not sit still and was refusing to share the toys with the other children. Ava’s mother reports that Ava has recently been refusing to attend kindergarten and cries uncontrollably when a family member leaves
the house. This is making it increasingly difficult to take Ava to kindergarten. Ava’s mother is concerned about Ava’s wellbeing and asks you for assistance.
The essay must be presented using the headings provided below.

Essay: The essay must include the following:

Introduction
Introduce the purpose and structure of the essay. Introduce the scenario. Outline how you will address the essay topic.

Psychosocial development theory
Using psychosocial development theory, outline the impact COVID-19 may be having on Ava’s current stage of development.

Mental health assessment tool
Locate an appropriate mental health assessment tool and describe how the RN would assess the impact COVID-19 may be having on Ava’s mental health.

Person and Family Centred Care (PFCC)
Discuss how the RN can integrate Person and Family Centred Care (PFCC) principles during the immunisation episode of care.

Caregiver education
Discuss strategies Ava’s mother can implement to support Ava.

Professional support services
Provide information on appropriate professional support services that are available for Ava and her family.

Conclusion
Summarise your main points and reinforce the significance and implications of your essay.