Nursing care to children with infectious diseases: the nursing team’s strategy

Abstract

This is a qualitative research, a kind of case study, accomplished at a university hospital of Rio de Janeiro in 2007 based on the nursing assistance practice to the children which are hospitalized in non-pediatric units, specially, at an Infectious Disease Sector. The objectives were to describe the care provided by the nursing team to children with infectious diseases and to analyze the strategies of the nursing team concerning the care provided. The subjects of the study were 19 members of the nursing team that participated in the Dynamics of Space Mapping. The thematic analysis of the results showed cares like venous puncture; the medication dosage and precaution measures. The strategies were the games and entertainment during the care; the capacity of observation and others. We can conclude that the care provided by the nursing team to children with infectious diseases are presented as an (im)possible challenge, because the team uses strategies for solving tensions of this specific reality.