P2 · Fear of a specific thing
Actual Emotions and mind
Definition
Fear directed at a clear threat such as a procedure, pain, or situation.- Procedures
- needles
- pain
- darkness
- surgery
- injections
- Trembling
- tearful
- avoiding the feared thing
- fast heartbeat
- clinging to a parent
📋 Scenario
A child cries and hides when she sees the injection tray.
Subjective (S): (Child) "I don't want the needle!"
Objective (O): Crying; hiding behind parent; heart rate 130/min; refuses to hold out arm.
Assessment tools for this scenario: CP-MIND Mood & Mind Screen
Validated scales to consider: PHQ-9, GAD-7, C-SSRS
**CarePath diagnosis:** Fear of a specific thing related to procedures, as evidenced by trembling and tearful.
**Interventions and rationale**
| Intervention | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Explain in simple words. | Simple, age-appropriate words help the child understand what will happen, and unknown things feel scarier than known ones. |
| Let the child hold a toy. | A familiar toy gives comfort and a sense of control, and holding it can distract her attention from the needle. |
| Show the equipment. | Letting the child see and touch safe equipment makes it less mysterious, which can reduce fear of the unknown. |
| Be honest. | Honest explanations build trust, whereas being told it will not hurt when it will can increase fear at the next procedure. |
| Allow a parent to stay. | A parent is the child's main source of security, so their presence lowers distress and helps her stay calmer and more cooperative. |
| Praise courage. | Praise reinforces brave behavior and builds confidence, which makes future procedures easier for the child to cope with. |
**Expected outcomes**
- Child allows the procedure with distraction.
- Cries less.
- Parent helps.
- Child says she felt brave.
**Linking the data to the diagnosis**
The child cries and hides behind her parent when she sees the injection tray, saying, "I don't want the needle!" The nurse records a heart rate of 130/min and refusal to hold out her arm. The fear is aimed at one clear threat, the needle, and is present now, so this fits fear of a specific thing rather than general worry. The plan aims for the child to allow the procedure with distraction, cry less, be helped by her parent and say she felt brave.
CarePath diagnosis
Fear of a specific thing related to procedures, as evidenced by trembling and tearful.
Interventions and rationale
Listed in priority order.
| Intervention | Rationale |
|---|---|
| 1. Explain in simple words. | Simple, age-appropriate words help the child understand what will happen, and unknown things feel scarier than known ones. |
| 2. Let the child hold a toy. | A familiar toy gives comfort and a sense of control, and holding it can distract her attention from the needle. |
| 3. Show the equipment. | Letting the child see and touch safe equipment makes it less mysterious, which can reduce fear of the unknown. |
| 4. Be honest. | Honest explanations build trust, whereas being told it will not hurt when it will can increase fear at the next procedure. |
| 5. Allow a parent to stay. | A parent is the child's main source of security, so their presence lowers distress and helps her stay calmer and more cooperative. |
| 6. Praise courage. | Praise reinforces brave behavior and builds confidence, which makes future procedures easier for the child to cope with. |
Expected outcomes
- Child allows the procedure with distraction.
- Cries less.
- Parent helps.
- Child says she felt brave.
Linking the data to the diagnosis
The child cries and hides behind her parent when she sees the injection tray, saying, "I don't want the needle!" The nurse records a heart rate of 130/min and refusal to hold out her arm. The fear is aimed at one clear threat, the needle, and is present now, so this fits fear of a specific thing rather than general worry. The plan aims for the child to allow the procedure with distraction, cry less, be helped by her parent and say she felt brave.