Communicating with children

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Hi,

I want to help my daughters better communicate with children. Both are student nurses. Looking for some unique ways to explain the sensation of blood pressure to a child to make them feel more at ease. Any neat ideas????

Thanks,

homeschool mom

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I am not sur that I fully understand your question. I have always thought of blood pressure in terms of water flowing through a garden hose and how when it flows through a smaller more narrow hose the water comes out faster and harder...because of the increase in pressure. They could put a kink in the hose to show how much more pressure there is when there is a blockage. They could actually get a garden hose and demonstrate this and then spray all the kids with the water.

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Specializes in pedi, pedi psych,dd, school ,home health.

Is she taking bp's on kids? I usually let them pump up the cuff and tell them they are giving their arm a hug.. and tell them what number to stop at.

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depending on age.......what I was always taught by instructors was to never tell a kid you are "taking" their b/p because they take it literally...........I used to say give a hug to your arm...and let them squeeze the bulb too......I even let them do my b/p 1st to show them it doesn't hurt...even to letting them listen for the sounds........kind of makes it like a game for them.....

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I always tell kids that the cuff is going to give their arms a hug.

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thanks I love that...they were thinking along the lines of giving their arm squeeze like when your mom does when you cross the road. I love the hug idea. They are in clinicals now and are really learning so much. I try to come up with new ideas and I love coming here, everyone here is so helpful.

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Specializes in Day Surgery/Infusion/ED.
Hi,

I want to help my daughters better communicate with children. Both are student nurses. Looking for some unique ways to explain the sensation of blood pressure to a child to make them feel more at ease. Any neat ideas????

Thanks,

homeschool mom

I don't mean to sound unkind, but this isn't the first time you've posted with questions regarding your daughters' nursing school experiences. Really, they should be asking questions themselves, resolving conflicts with their instructors without your involvement, etc. Let them find their way in the profession...step back a bit. You can't intervene forever.

Why not encourage them to come here and ask questions for themselves? That would be in their best interests, really.

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