Case Study Analysis: Pediatric Nursing of Skyla's Care

This case study analyzes the pediatric nursing care of a child named Skyla, focusing on her admission to a child care agency and the reasons behind it. The analysis incorporates a literature review of relevant sources, including electronic books and articles, to provide a comprehensive understanding of the case. The study assesses Skyla's mental and physical health, considering the impact of trauma, substance abuse, and potential child abuse. It examines nursing interventions, including therapeutic regimens, coping mechanisms, and the importance of family support. The analysis highlights the roles of pediatric nurses in providing care, advocating for the child's well-being, and ensuring their safety and security. The case study also addresses ethical considerations, legal aspects, and the need for a child-centered approach in healthcare. The document emphasizes the importance of assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation in providing individualized care for Skyla, while also considering her Aboriginal background and potential discrimination issues.

Running head: PEDIATRIC NURSING 1
Pediatric Nursing

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Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
Literature review........................................................................................................................3
Analysis and argument...............................................................................................................5
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................7
References..................................................................................................................................9

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Introduction
The main aim of the essay is to present a case analysis of a child named Skyla in
terms of her admission into the child care agency and the reasons for the admission as far as
the analysis of the situation in an effective and efficient manner is concerned. The relevant
available literature is to be analysed in the form of online sources which would mainly
include electronic books and online articles along with the related websites thereby implying
a comprehensive solution of the case study accordingly. The assessment related to nursing
would also be taken into consideration.
Literature review
According to Tatangelo, McCabe, Macleod &Konis (2018), Australia has carved a
niche of itself in terms of child care as far as the providing of services in a qualitative manner
is concerned. As a result, it is imperative that due care has been taken with regard to the
welfare of Skyla as far as the case study is concerned. As opined by Hockenberry & Wilson
(2018), pediatric nursing is the practice of nursing with children, youth and families requiring
health facilities, health promotion and health restoration. As opined by Vicente, Shadvar,
Lepage & Rennick (2016).the role of a pediatric nurse is not limited to taking care of children
but also consider their wellbeing and health management. A good pediatric nurse possesses
the role of a caregiver, have good negotiation skills, empathetic, love for children and
avoiding stress at work. As suggested by Baird, et. al. (2016), one of main reasons identified
for nurses taking interest in pediatric nursing is the which provides will help them to grow
and create better opportunities for them in the future. In the modern world, children are
exposed to multiple health issues, face issues due to physical disparities, disruptive family
issues, domestic violence, poverty and parental separation can have long lasting negative
impact on the children. These barriers can be overpowering and impact on their development
at certain point of time. D'Aprano, et. al. (2016) have opined that nursing children and infants
have been an important part of the Australian healthcare where it enables nurses to protect,
promote, treat and advocate their wellbeing. According to the history of the Australian
healthcare and as identified by Australian Health Policy Collaboration (2018), the country
has considered the mental and physical wellbeing of children and young people as a national
concern. There can be multiple reasons and stressors for children to feel alienated,
disapproved and emotionally incompetent from a very young age, which is often addressed
by pediatric nurses. Young people face the issues of depression, bipolar disorder and

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Obsessive Compulsive Disorder leading them to reduced mental and physical ability.
Adolescents between the ages 13-19 in Australia are admitted to the hospital for mental or
behavioral problems. It has been commonly identified among the Australian aboriginals and
Torres Strait Islander youth which results in approximately 33% of the Australians commit
suicide at a very young age.
However, the Australian Government (2019), has been considerate about providing
interventions for the wellbeing and safety of these children and young people. As a pediatric
nurse, they understand the importance of providing nursing facilities to such underprivileged
and children in need. The overall health profile of children in Australia is good overall but the
difference between the ethnic and sub ethnic groups may be a cause of issue for healthcare
providers. This means that even when pediatric nurses are willing to provide help and support
to the children and their families, the ethnic norms might come in the way. However, issues
like overweight, obesity and dental problems are identified as possible causes of health
deterioration among children and youth in Australia. According to researches it is evident that
children are majorly influenced by their external factors which if they start internalizing
become an emotional burden on them. In this case, Pediatric nurses play an important role
due to their specialty and clinical skills. Apart from this, Pediatric nurses protect and promote
the rights of the children and meet the specific needs of children and their families within
hospitals and communities across the regions. Pediatric nurses generate therapeutic
relationship with the children and their families by separating their personal feelings and
needs. It is therefore advised to the pediatric nurses to keep their personal feelings and
professional relationships separate. However, in non-therapeutic relationships, nurses may
serve the personal needs of the children and their families. In Australian healthcare, pediatric
nurses are also trained to provide health teaching to the children and their families. This
provides them with an encouragement to face any stressful situation due to appropriate
knowledge. Support and counseling are again highly important embedded role of a Pediatric
nurse. In this case, support means physical and mental presence of the nurses. Counseling
here means mutual exchange of ideas and opinions to resolve the issues faced by the children
and their families. Ethical decision making falls under the professional code of ethics of
Pediatric nurses. All these constitute to the effective exploration and integration of theoretical
knowledge and clinical nursing. Therefore, the Australian healthcare allows nurses to foster a
purposeful and child-centered approach to create significant difference in the lives of the
children regardless of their ethnicity.

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Content
As identified from the case, Skyla was suffering from mental trauma due to regular
substance use which deteriorated her mental and physical wellbeing. In this case,
interventions can be provided to safeguard her life and develop her for the future.
Nevertheless, Skyla can be treated by understanding the degree of damage the mental trauma
has done to her mental and physical condition. Being there certain stages of nursing care
plans for people, there are high chances of recovering the previous health conditions of these
people. In the case of Skyla, therapeutic regimen can be suitable which will include effective
management and improvement of her overall health. As identified, Skyla has troubled
relationship with her family which suggests that her current condition was a cause of the
emotional crisis. In this case of crisis, her physical health was also affected and as a result she
suffered from abdominal pain for a certain period of time. As part of her intervention and
care, coping mechanisms can be applied on Skyla. Appropriate medical intervention shall be
provided to improve her current health condition. Along with that, her family also might need
certain coping mechanisms to improve their mental conditions and realise the importance of
living a better life for Skyla’s future.
However, in the case of Skyla, the nursing interventions will be following 5 major
steps starting from a proper assessment, diagnosis, healthcare planning, implementation of
the care plan, and evaluation of the patient outcome. This will provide a direction for
individualized acre for Skyla and understand her specific needs.
Analysis and argument
From the medical records of Skyla, it is analysed and observed that the aspect related
to child care is of utmost importance as far as the overall well-being of the child is concerned
with reference to physical and mental health. It is also imperative from the medical records
that Skyla is diagnosed with reference to mental health as far as trauma is concerned with
regard to sexual violence as reported in a summarized for in the reports taking account of
photographs in question. The summarized aspects of the reports also imply drug abuse on
part of Skyla to a considerable extent which implies that child care is extremely essential in a
home based setting as a far as a familial environment is concerned. The records also imply
physical assault on Skyla along with the inducement by her uncle into drugs by taken her to a

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drug dealer which prima facie implies child abuse (Farrell, 2018). It is further recorded that
while in hospital, she was absconding for a period of four days. In this regard, it is suspected
that she was victimised as a result of sexual assault as per the statement made by the mother.
Suicidal intentions on part of Skyla have also been noted and taken into account with regard
to her drug abuse on a regular basis as a result of crisis. As a result, it can be argued that there
should not be any scope of negligence with reference to child care thereby implying the
welfare of the child as far as health and safety is concerned. Due to her mental condition,
Skyla had to be seen by a Psychiatric Registrar who observed that her hands far bruised. In
this matter, she responded that she fell and as result, sustained injuries. The chain of events,
however, implies that as per the statement of the Gawler Youth Service, Skyla was involved
with people outside the family with whom she was staying. As a result, such people may have
assaulted her physically. The physical ailment s for Skyla imply abdominal pains far as the
medical discharge records are concerned with regard to being admitted at Lyell McEwin
Hospital on a multiple basis. It is to be taken into consideration whether the root cause of
abdominal pain along with the related symptoms was the overdose of drugs which resulted in
the development of complications. Additionally, it is also to be considered whether
Aboriginal background of Skyla led her to such mental condition since in some parts and
spheres of Australia, Aboriginals are still treated in a derogatory manner thereby casing
hindrance to their integration into the mainstream society. If such is the situation, the matter
has to be examined in a proper and appropriate manner and stringent action is to be taken
against the ones involved in the perpetration of activities related to discrimination. It is
imperative that the role of a child care setting would be extremely essential taking account of
the sensitive aspect of the child as far as Skyla is concerned (Tilbury, Hughes, Bigby &
Osmond, 2015). With reference to her abdominal, pain, a diet has been prescribed for her in
order to imply that the abdominal pain does not recur within the course of treatment. As a
result, the caregiver concerned must imply the requisite intake of diet by Skyla in the desired
manner as far as the diagnosis prescribed is concerned with reference to the final discharge
report. Additionally, the caregiver also has to monitor the medication for Skyla with regard to
her treatment for abdominal pain as observed and analysed from the medical records. It is
implied that the safety and security of the child in a family setting is of utmost importance as
far as the atmosphere is concerned with regard to the environment and surroundings for the
welfare of the child taking account of the facts alcoholism of the woman and the bruises
sustained by Skyla in addition to the intervention by the police in order to control the
situation as far as the summary of the medical records are concerned. As a result, it is implied

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that child protection must be ensured in the desired manner thereby leading to the welfare of
the child in the desired manner as far as the maintenance of amicable relationship with the
child in a family setting is concerned (Patton et al., 2016). The law enforcement authorities
have to play the key role taking account of the case of Skyla and the events that led top her
physical injuries and mental condition as analysed by the medical reports. The laws related to
the protection of child are to be applied in an effective and efficient manner (Vale, Smith,
Said, Mullins & Loh, 2015). It is also be taken into consideration by the child protection
agency in question that the child should not be exposed to dangerous drugs which would case
complications in health in a severe manner as far as the diagnosis and treatment of Skyla is
concerned taking account of the medical records. Furthermore, the role of schools would also
be important with respect t the welfare of children by the virtue of collaboration with
community services (Lupton & Williamson, 2017). It would be helpful in the providing of a
comprehensive solution to the children who are in need of special care as far as their physical
and mental well being is concerned. Discrimination of Aboriginal children is to be dealt with
in a strict manner. In order to resolve critical issues relating to Aboriginal children as per the
case of Skyla, help may be sought form the Australian Human Rights Commission. The
sensitivity of the child is to be of utmost importance which is to be taken into account on a
priority basis in terms of medical records as implied by the reports of Skyla. The health of the
child is to be undertaken and campaigns are to be conducted to promote the same thereby
spreading awareness in an incredible manner so that issues of children like Skyla are resolved
at the earliest in a proper and appropriate manner (Press, Woodrow, Logan & Mitchell,
2018). The ethics related to child health care are to be followed in the desired manner thereby
leading to the prevention of misconduct and malpractice amongst the doctors and health care
practitioners’ specialist in the treatment of children in a comprehensive manner. The medical
history of the family of the child also needs to be assessed for the providing of the treatment
of the child in the desired manner. The infrastructure at the paediatric ward of the hospital
along with the nursing facilities suitable for children is to be in a qualitative manner. It is to
be taken into account the potential risks to which the child may be exposed to with regard to
the situation of Skyla. Such kinds of risks are to be addressed in the desired manner so that
the health and safety of the child is not compromised. Counselling services are to be
provided to children with mental health issues, most notably children who are vulnerable
thereby resorting to violent means (Simovska & McNamara, 2016). Services pertaining to
rehabilitation are to be provided to children who are into drug abuse on a regular basis as far
as the improvement in both physical and mental health is concerned. It would help in the

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addressing of the issues for children likely Skyla in an amicable manner thereby leading to
the less likelihood for hospitalisation. The nutrition is to be provided to children in a proper
manner as far as the maintenance of health is concerned. Precautionary measures and steps
are also to be undertaken by the parents or the authorities concerned with regard to the
prevention of the injuries amongst children to the maximum extent. The aspect of road safety
is also to be taken into consideration by schools or the concerned institutions as far as the
teaching of children in terms of crossing the road is concerned thereby preventing
unnecessary deaths and injuries through accidents. People driving motor vehicles also have to
be cautious when witnessing children crossing the road. Sharp and inflammable objects are to
be kept away from children at all times thereby implying the application of norms and
regulations related to safety to a considerable extent. Furthermore, exposure to alcohol for
children must be prevented to the maximum level thereby implying that the child is not a
victim as result of alcoholic related abuse taking account of the case of Skyla with regard to
her experience in the family setting as far as child protection is concerned. Taking account of
the aspect of genogram, it is imperative that Skyla’s family consists of mother, uncle,
maternal grandparents and six siblings. The family life cycle stage in this aspect is the family
with young children. It is imperative that the condition of the family is the main reason of the
aspect related to stressor as far as the plight of Skyla is concerned. As a result, it has led to
traumatic conditions for Skyla to great extent. Additionally, it has also resulted in her
dependence to drugs as far as substance abuse is concerned in order to combat the issues of
mental health.
Conclusion
It can be concluded by stating that the concept related to the importance of childcare
and protection is justified and appropriate. It is also been observed that the abuse and assault
of children in various forms are to be taken into consideration in a serious manner as far as
the addressing of the issues in a timely manner is concerned. It would help in the adherence
to not only the healthcare ethics but also the regulations pertaining to the health and safety of
the child as implied from the aforesaid discourse. The appropriate relevant literature in the
form of electronic books and online journals have also been analysed in an effective and
efficient manner thereby implying the aspect related to child care in Australia. The medical
records of Skyla have been analysed in a proper and appropriate manner thereby analysing
her physical and mental health in an effective and efficient manner accordingly. Skyla’s
troubled relationship with her family has also been highlighted as per the medical reports in a

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summarized form. Her background being Aboriginal has also been taken into consideration in
connection with the derogatory situation of the Aboriginals in Australia. Additionally, the
role played by schools and related institutions have also been discussed and demonstrated
with regard to the well-being of children as far as their all round development is concerned.
The roles of health care institutions in this matter have also been analysed accordingly. In a
nutshell, the providing of the healthy environment of children in terms of salubrious
surroundings has been described and analysed in a proper and appropriate manner.

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children-and-young-people-tasmania
Australian Health Policy Collaboration. (2018). Australia’s Mental Health and Physical
Health Tracker. Retrieved from https://www.vu.edu.au/sites/default/files/australias-
mental-and-physical-health-tracker-background-paper.pdf
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child? Continuity of nursing care in the pediatric intensive care unit. Nursing
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D'Aprano, A., Johnston, S. S. V., Bailie, R., Mensah, F., Oberklaid, F., & Robinson, G.
(2016). Challenges in monitoring the development of young children in remote
Aboriginal health services: clinical audit findings and recommendations for
improving practice. Rural & Remote Health, 13(3).
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Childhood Education and Care in Australia. In Positive Schooling and Child
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