Care of the pediatric patient in ambulatory surgery.

Caring for the pediatric and adolescent patient in the ambulatory surgery unit is challenging for several reasons. The first 18 years are a period of rapid physical, cognitive, and psychosocial growth. Psychological preparation is very important to ensure the readiness of the child and family for surgery; however, the efficacy of the different methods of preparation varies. Teaching should be geared to the developmental level of the child, and specific information on the process, sights, smells, and sensations the child will experience should be given to allay parental anxiety and fears. Appropriate tools must be available for the nurse to assess and implement the physical plan of care.