Downer K
Intensive Care Unit, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth.
Nurs Crit Care. 1996 Jan-Feb;1(1):6-8.
The admission of a child to the intensive care unit (ICU) represents a traumatic experience for parents. They may feel bombarded with information, loss of control and subject to enormous stress. The psychological stress of their child being admitted to ICU may render parents incapable of rational decision-making. Parents may receive frequent requests for consent at a time when their mental competence to do so may be questioned. Parental competence is affected by: information giving, effective communication and the perception of the person evaluating. The purpose of assessment of mental competence is to ensure that informed consent takes place and the best interests of the child are protected.
孩子住进重症监护病房（ICU）对父母来说是一次痛苦的经历。他们可能会觉得被信息淹没，失去掌控感，并承受巨大压力。孩子住进ICU带来的心理压力可能使父母无法做出理性决策。在父母的心理能力可能受到质疑的时候，他们可能会频繁收到同意的请求。父母的能力受到以下因素影响：信息提供、有效沟通以及评估者的看法。评估心理能力的目的是确保获得知情同意，并保护孩子的最大利益。
