Hospitalized children’s opinions about peripheral venous access process (PVAP)

Abstract

Research problem/aim: This study was carried out to determine the thoughts of school-age (6-12 years old) children about peripheral venous access process. Method: The study was carried out in qualitative descriptive design using semi-structured interview method. The universe of the study was composed of children aged between 6 and 12 hospitalized in the aforementioned hospital. Findings: The children who were informed before the process said the warnings were, “take a deep breath, don’t move your hand, calm down”. The children reported that they felt “excitement, sadness, pain, and fear” while the vascular access intervention was being performed. It was observed that the children had many negative emotions and experiences about vascular access process. Conclusions: Children may need both physical and psychological support for invasive process, such as vascular access process. Nurses as primary caregivers should give this support to children.