Dingy Barney

Attachment to inanimate object, say a toy, is cute and acceptable to a certain degree especially among hospitalized children who are in a great deal of stress. Cuddling a teddy bear is comforting and soothing, but when do parents need to consult a psychologist or a counselor for their child who just couldn't let anybody take away her precious rag doll?

I have a patient, 5 year-old Sally*, who came in with Dengue H fever. The case is on its critical stage (6 units of platelet concentrate is ordered to be transfused ASAP) with all the classic symptoms on surface, and I understand how difficult it must be for the mom to see her child go through all those agonizing blood extractions. And then I noticed Barney, sooooo dirty and dingy (yikes! can't imagine the smell)
also tucked in the sheets with the patient. Sally has that Barney since age 1, which according to the mother, her daughter couldn't sleep without it and it goes with her practically anywhere, in the school, church, birthday parties, park, etc. The child does not allow even her mom to take the stuffed toy for laundry and the family used all means to bargain but to no avail. She would throw tantrums and one time when her father forced her to let go of the toy she got sick and didn't eat. They just gave up. I learned later on with the phlebotomist that each and every blood extractions, he has to "draw blood" from barney first so that Sally would cooperate. Yes seemingly harmless, but totally abnormal behavior.

She's a sweet little child, angelic even. But when asked about Barney, she just said defensively not to mind her and leave Barney alone.

If you are the parent, what would you do? Being the nurse, to what extent can you offer help with parenting concerns like this?

Nursing is a patient per patient challenge.

* Nmae changed to protect patient privacy.