A 9-year-old boy has an unplanned admission to the intensive care unit (ICU)after abdominal surgery.The nursing staff has completed the admission process,and his condition is beginning to stabilize.When speaking with the parents,the nurse should expect what additional stressor to be evident?

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ICUs,especially when the family is unprepared for the admission,are strange and unfamiliar.There are many pieces of unfamiliar equipment,and the sights and sounds are much different from those of a general hospital unit.Also,with the child's condition being more precarious,it may be difficult to keep the parents updated on what is happening.Lights are usually on around the clock,seriously disrupting the diurnal rhythm.In most ICUs,the staff works with a sense of urgency.It is difficult for parents to ask questions about their child when staff is with other patients.Usually little privacy is available for families in ICUs.

A 9-Year-Old Boy Has an Unplanned Admission to the Intensive