What is the best activity for a school-aged child hospitalized for vaso-occlusive sickle cell crisis?

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A child in vaso-occlusive sickle cell crisis will be experiencing a high level of pain due to the occlusion of small blood vessels from increased red blood cell sickling. Supportive and symptomatic treatment includes round-the-clock pain management with opioids, intravenous fluids for hydration, and bed rest to decrease energy expenditure and oxygen demand. Age-specific nonpharmacologic strategies should also be implemented to manage pain and help limit the amount of needed narcotic analgesia. For a school-aged child, such activities include distraction (watching TV, listening to music, reading), relaxation, guided imagery, warm soaks, positioning, and gentle massage. (Option A) Finger painting is messy and best done in the activity room; it is not appropriate for a child confined to bed. (Option B) A child must be on bed rest when in vaso-occlusive sickle cell crisis. Playing a game in the activity room does not maintain bed rest and would be too stimulating for the child. (Option C) Playing video games may be too exciting and stimulating for the child; an environment low in stimuli will promote rest. Educational objective: Supportive and symptomatic treatment for vaso-occlusive sickle cell crisis includes pain management and bed rest. Nonpharmacologic measures to alleviate pain include distraction (watching TV, listening to music, reading), relaxation, guided imagery, warm soaks, positioning, and gentle massage.

What Is the best Activity for a School-Aged Child Hospitalized