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Pediatric nurses' thinking in response to vignettes on administering analgesics
Catherine Van Hulle Vincent1, Erica J Gaddy
1Department of Women, Children, and Family Health Science, College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, 845 South Damen Avenue, Room 854, Chicago, IL 60612-7350, USA.
Research in Nursing & Health
|June 9, 2009
Summary
Pediatric nurses often overlook recommended pain relief for children post-surgery. Misconceptions about pain medication and concerns about side effects hinder effective pain management in hospitalized children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nursing
- Pain Management
- Postoperative Care
Background:
- Hospitalized children frequently experience significant postoperative pain.
- Available and recommended analgesics are not consistently administered by pediatric nurses.
- Inadequate pain management contributes to persistent pain and adverse outcomes in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine pediatric nurses' decision-making processes regarding pain assessment and morphine administration in children with postoperative pain.
- To identify factors influencing nurses' choices in managing pediatric surgical pain.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive study involving 30 pediatric nurses.
- Nurses responded to case study vignettes depicting children with postoperative pain.
- Analysis focused on nurses' thought processes concerning pain assessment and analgesic administration.
Main Results:
- Nurses considered multiple factors (pain level, vitals, facial expression) in pain assessment.
- Reliance on behavioral and physiological signs over self-report was common when deciding on morphine.
- Nurses exhibited misconceptions regarding morphine pharmacokinetics and unwarranted fears of adverse effects.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric nurses' decision-making is influenced by factors beyond self-reported pain, including misconceptions about analgesics.
- These cognitive factors contribute to the underadministration of recommended pain relief for children.
- Improved education on pain management principles and pharmacotherapy is crucial for enhancing pediatric postoperative pain control.
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