Which of the following is a principle of atraumatic care?

Which of the following is a principle of atraumatic care?

• A. Preventing physical stressors
• B. Increasing parent-child separation
• C. Reducing family involvement
• D. Relying solely on pharmacologic interventions

Answer: (A)

Atraumatic care centers on minimizing distress for children during care by reducing physical and emotional stressors. Preventing physical stressors is the best fit because it directly targets reducing pain, discomfort, and bodily harm through strategies like effective analgesia and anesthesia, using the least invasive approaches possible, and applying comfort measures during procedures. It also aligns with keeping the family involved and supporting the child’s sense of security, which helps lessen fear and anxiety. The other ideas would increase distress or overlook important coping supports: separating the child from a parent, limiting family involvement, or relying only on medications neglect the nonpharmacologic ways that comfort, explain, and normalize the experience for the child.

Atraumatic care centers on minimizing distress for children during care by reducing physical and emotional stressors. Preventing physical stressors is the best fit because it directly targets reducing pain, discomfort, and bodily harm through strategies like effective analgesia and anesthesia, using the least invasive approaches possible, and applying comfort measures during procedures. It also aligns with keeping the family involved and supporting the child’s sense of security, which helps lessen fear and anxiety.

The other ideas would increase distress or overlook important coping supports: separating the child from a parent, limiting family involvement, or relying only on medications neglect the nonpharmacologic ways that comfort, explain, and normalize the experience for the child.