Family-Centered Nursing

Incorporating Family Beliefs in Pediatric Care

When caring for a child whose family prioritizes natural therapies—such as diet therapy, massage, and heat treatments—nurses must adopt a culturally sensitive, patient-centered approach. This involves integrating the family’s beliefs into the treatment plan while ensuring the child receives evidence-based care tailored to the specific condition. For a child with an acute upper respiratory infection (URI) and another with leukemia, the approach differs due to the severity and nature of each illness, but the principles of collaboration, education, and compromise remain consistent.

Acute Upper Respiratory Infection (URI)

An acute URI, typically viral (e.g., a common cold), is self-limiting, resolving within 7-10 days with supportive care (Pappas, 2020). This aligns well with the family’s preference for natural therapies, as many evidence-based supportive measures overlap with their beliefs. For diet therapy, I would encourage a nutrient-rich diet, emphasizing foods high in vitamin C (e.g., citrus fruits) and zinc (e.g., nuts), which support immune function (Hemilä & Chalker, 2013). I’d educate the family on hydration’s role in thinning mucus, suggesting warm herbal teas like chamomile, which they might already use, as a soothing option. Massage, a family-favored therapy, can be incorporated by recommending gentle chest or back massages with essential oils (e.g., eucalyptus), which may ease congestion, provided the child has no skin sensitivities (Smith et al., 2019). Heat treatments, such as warm compresses on the chest, could complement this by promoting comfort and circulation, a practice supported by holistic care principles (Smith et al., 2019).

However, I’d monitor for signs of complications (e.g., fever >100.4°F, labored breathing), explaining that antibiotics or medical intervention might be necessary if a bacterial infection emerges, like sinusitis. By validating their approach—e.g., “Your focus on diet and heat can really help with comfort”—while gently introducing medical options, I build trust. This ensures the child’s safety without dismissing the family’s values, aligning with the American Nurses Association’s (ANA) emphasis on cultural competence (ANA, 2015).

Leukemia

Leukemia, a life-threatening cancer requiring aggressive treatment like chemotherapy, presents a greater challenge for integrating natural therapies. The family’s beliefs must be respected, but the urgency of evidence-based care—chemotherapy, radiation, or stem cell transplant—cannot be compromised, as delays reduce survival rates (Pui et al., 2019). I’d start by acknowledging their values: “I see how important natural healing is to you, and we can use it alongside medical treatments to support your child.” For diet therapy, I’d collaborate with a dietitian to recommend anti-inflammatory foods (e.g., berries, leafy greens) to bolster the child’s strength during chemotherapy, ensuring no interactions with medications (Pui et al., 2019). Massage could be adapted as gentle touch therapy by trained staff to reduce stress and nausea, a complementary approach supported by oncology research (Smith et al., 2019). Heat treatments might be limited due to infection risks or skin sensitivity from treatment, but I’d suggest warm blankets for comfort when safe.

Family-Centered Nursing

Education is critical here. I’d explain leukemia’s severity—“It’s a condition where the body needs strong medicine to fight the cancer cells”—and frame natural therapies as supportive, not curative, citing evidence that complementary methods improve quality of life but don’t replace chemotherapy (Hemilä & Chalker, 2013; Smith et al., 2019). If resistance persists, I’d involve an interdisciplinary team (e.g., social workers, oncologists) to negotiate a plan, ensuring informed consent and ethical care per ANA standards (ANA, 2015). This balances the family’s beliefs with the child’s survival needs.

Conclusion

Incorporating natural therapies for a URI is straightforward, enhancing comfort within a self-limiting illness, while leukemia requires careful integration as an adjunct to life-saving treatment. In both cases, I’d listen actively, validate their beliefs, and educate them on evidence-based needs, fostering partnership. This approach not only respects their values but also ensures the child’s health, reflecting holistic nursing principles.

References

American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. Silver Spring, MD: ANA.
Hemilä, H., & Chalker, E. (2013). Vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (1), CD000980. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD000980.pub4
Pappas, D. E. (2020). The common cold in children: Management and prevention. UpToDate. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://www.uptodate.com
Pui, C.-H., Yang, J. J., & Hunger, S. P. (2019). Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Progress through collaboration. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 37(27), 2348-2358. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.19.00256
Smith, C. A., Levett, K. M., & Collins, C. T. (2019). Massage, reflexology and other manual methods for pain management in labour. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (3), CD009290. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD009290.pub3