Diapers in Older Children

[DGNurse10]

Working in the PICU, we pull a lot of foley's on kids who continue to get Lasix and lots of fluids. On two different occasions, I have followed the same nurse who has pulled the foley on older children (age 8 and 10) and placed diapers on them. In both instance, the parents and child have made comments about how happy they are that I let their child out of bed to use the commode, rather than "making them" pee in the diaper--in one instance the mom went and bought her daughter a treat in order to BRIBE her into going in the diaper.

Maybe it's because I am still new and live in an idealistic world, but it really bothers me that this nurse wouldn't take the 5 minutes to get the child out of bed--or even on a bed pan, and would instead insist the child pee in the diaper. One time, the child actually stood next to the bed to pee in the diaper, rather than just on a commode!

How would you handle this situation? As I said, I'm knew and have only worked in the unit 6 months, and this is a nurse who has worked there for a long time and has a good reputation and is known to be a very good nurse--and also doesn't take criticism well. I'd appreciate any input!

[K Lambourne]

maybe working in a PICU is the answer ? I've worked mainly on paeds ward but have on ocassion take shifts on PICU and things there are different. PICU are used to sedated patients and are usually more regimented. It may be that the nurse is just used to toileting children using foley's and nappies being easier for her ? maybe you could ask her ? Personally i think it can be as quick to use the comode if the patient is able plus this could be a way of maintaining some normality in what is an alien environment for the patient. The older child might possibly feel embrassed wearing nappies ? I don't know how it works where you are but in the UK we like to give the patients a choice where we can. keep everyone happy !!!