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Nurses' attitudes to pain management during routine venepuncture in young children

Susan Melhuish1, Heather Payne

  • 1Paediatric Medical Unit, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff.

Paediatric Nursing
|March 21, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric nurses believe infants and toddlers experience significant pain during venepuncture. They prioritize non-pharmacological methods like distraction and parental presence over medication for pain management in young children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nursing
  • Pain Management
  • Clinical Procedures

Background:

  • Venepuncture is a common procedure in pediatric care.
  • Inconsistent application of pain management strategies is evident.
  • Infants and toddlers may experience significant procedural pain.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore nurses' perceptions of pain in infants and toddlers.
  • To investigate pain management techniques used during venepuncture.
  • To identify gaps in current pain management practices.

Main Methods:

  • A survey was conducted among children's nurses.
  • Participants included nurses from general medical and surgical wards.
  • Response rate was 81% (45 out of 55 nurses).

Main Results:

  • Nurses perceive infants and toddlers as experiencing more pain and distress than older children.
  • Pharmacological agents are infrequently used for infants undergoing venous cannulation.
  • Distraction and parental presence are commonly employed strategies.

Conclusions:

  • Nurses' beliefs align with the need for effective pain management in young children.
  • Current practices may underutilize pharmacological interventions for infants.
  • Ensuring appropriate pain management before and during venepuncture is crucial for pediatric patients.

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