The behavior of preschoolers during and after brief surgical hospitalizations.

This qualitative study describes the behavior of preschool children during and after very brief hospitalizations for tonsillectomies and/or adenoidectomies. Structured, open-ended home interviews were conducted with 23 parents 5 to 7 days after their children's hospital discharge. Parents were asked to describe their children's behaviors during hospitalization and the first week at home. Approximately half of the parents and children had attended an optional surgical preadmission teaching program. The remaining parents had prepared their children for hospitalization using toy doctor kits and library books. Preoperatively, children who had attended the program behaved similarly to those who had not: They either cooperated fully, resisted initially, or completely refused to cooperate with admission procedures. Most children separated easily from their parents to enter the operating room, whereas some (n = 5) demonstrated great anxiety. However, immediately after surgery, most children who had not attended the program appeared more distressed than those who had attended. Finally, despite their relatively minor surgeries and brief hospitalizations, after discharge the majority of children (83%), regardless of whether they had attended the program, exhibited signs of distress. In comparison with their prehospitalization behavior, parents reported that their children were more irritable, had more nightmares, had appetite changes, and experienced more separation anxiety. Implications for nursing practice and research are discussed.