Rebecca Kronk on Sleep Issues in Pediatric Patients

Rebecca Kronk, PhD, CRNP, MSN, Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, Duquesne University, discusses a nurse's role in coping with sleep issues in pediatric cancer patients.

Particularly in children, Kronk says, a developmental approach works best. It's important for a nurse and a child's parents to consider what the typical sleep expectation is for a child of that age. While that scenario is the 'goal,' other factors need to be considered.

There is no need to live with sleep problems or attribute them to the disease, treatment, or anxiety, Kronk says. Sleep issues do not just affect the child but also the functioning and health of other family members.