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Abstract: Introduction: The purpose of this study was to explore the day-to-day life of mothers dealing with preschool children who have behavioral disorders and to explore the mothers’ experiences with their children’s health care. Method: A qualitative design was used to explore mothers’ experiences in their day-to-day lives. A purposive sample of eight mothers was interviewed in their homes. A recorded face-to-face format was used that included open-ended, semi-structured questions. Results: Two major themes emerged from the day-to-day experiences of these mothers: “abandoning my other child” and “parenting in unsupportive environments.” Discussion: The theme of “parenting in unsupportive environments” reflects the frustrations the mothers felt in their day-to-day lives while trying to find help for their children. The theme of “abandoning my other child” refers to the siblings of the children with behavioral disorders being overlooked by the mothers because so much of the mothers’ attention and time was given to the child with the behavioral disorder. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction: The purposes of this study were to investigate the adequacy of pain management for patients with long-bone fractures seen in the emergency department and to determine whether racial disparities exist. Methods: The design was an exploratory, correlational design using patient data abstract ed from electronic medical records of 2 major urban medical centers located in the Southeastern United States. Data collected included demographics, time of initial pain assessment by the registered nurse, time of pain medication administration, severity of pain, fracture location by radiograph, type of pain medication, and route-dosage of pain medication administered. The primary outcome variable, which was the pain management index, was calculated and used as a measure of adequate pain management. Results: The majority of the sample (N = 218) was female (61%) and white (63%), with 28% black and about 10% of the sample consisting of other minorities. Seventy-nine (36%) of the 218 patients received no medication while in the emergency department despite a mean pain score of 6.9 (SD = 2.5) on a 0 to 10 scale representing moderate to severe pain. Patients who received pain medication (n = 126) waited for the medication 1.76 hours (±1.47). Among the patients who received an analgesic (n = 126), younger patients, black patients, and those with higher pain severity were more likely to receive inadequate pain management than were white patients. Discussion: According to the pain management index, the majority of the patients in this study received inadequate pain management while in the emergency department. Future interventions may need to focus on giving ED nurses information about inadequate pain management and disparities in pain management in the ED setting and exploring possible reasons for disparities in order to ultimately improve patient care. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the school-age child's perspective about living with a tracheostomy. Design and methods: A qualitative design using phenomenological methods was used to describe and interpret the lived experiences of school-age children with a tracheostomy. Results: The perceptions of five children were explored, and three themes emerged: “I'm the only one,” “friends are helpful,” and “just tell them.” Conclusions: Data indicated that encouraging friendships with other children enhances the well-being of the child with a tracheostomy. In addition, data suggested that when schoolmates understand the experiences of children with tracheostomies, they are supportive of the child. Nurse practitioners are in a unique position to assist the child with a tracheostomy in the development of peer networks. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Qualitative researchers have clear methods to guide them in data collection with adult participants, but little is known about effective interview techniques with children. The findings from this methodological study on qualitative interviews with children indicate that children are able to articulate their experiences in interviews. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]