Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia
Corso di laurea in infermieristica - Sede di Modena
| Thesis Title | To know not to be afraid: the power of empowerment. The role of the community nurse in the therapeutic education for the management of pediatric febri |
|---|---|
| Name | Amico Lucia Giuseppina |
| Supervisor(s) | Minozzi Cinzia |
| Academic Year | 2016/17 |
| Thesis type | Non research thesis |
Abstract
Febrile convulsions are a common phenomenon among children ranging from 6 months to 5 years old in the presence of a body temperature of 38 ° or higher. They occur in about 2-4% of children under the age of five, with a peak incidence between 12 and 18 months. Febrile seizures are not related to an infection of the central nervous system or a metabolic imbalance but are associated with a vulnerability of the developing nervous system to the effects of fever in combination with an underlying genetic susceptibility.
Fever seizures generally have a benign prognosis, but because of their violent manifestation, they create panic and impotence in those who witness their onset.
Therefore, it is essential to assist parents by informing and educating them on how to behave in these situations. This educational role is entrusted to the figures who take care of the child's health: only by working in a team can significant results be achieved. In addition to assisting the child through certain actions to be performed as first aid it is important to make parents and caregivers aware of their abilities: they are the first real rescuers of the child’s life and they can really make a difference.
When these episodes happen, it is a duty to turn to the family pediatrician, but also to other local services, such as community Pediatrics. These points of reference for the community work in an interdisciplinary manner, that is, through the contribution and coordination of various health professionals. A central role is played by the nurse, whose tasks, as stated by their professional profile and code of ethics, are those of technical, preventive, informative and educational assistance. In this regard, an informative booklet to support community education has been created, containing some key clarifications to understand what fever seizures really are and the behaviors that a caregiver is able to help the child in difficulty, if properly instructed and reassured about their abilities.