Nurses' aims when managing pediatric postoperative pain: is what they say the same as what they do?

Alison Twycross; G Allen Finley

doi:10.1111/jspn.12029

Nurses' aims when managing pediatric postoperative pain: is what they say the same as what they do?

J Spec Pediatr Nurs. 2014 Jan;19(1):17-27. doi: 10.1111/jspn.12029. Epub 2013 Apr 23.

Authors

Alison Twycross¹, G Allen Finley

Affiliation

¹ Faculty of Health Social Care and Education, Kingston University and St. George's University of London, London, UK.

PMID: 24393225
DOI: 10.1111/jspn.12029

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore nurses' aims when managing postoperative pain and whether reported aims reflect actual practices.

Design and methods: Participant observation was used to collect data regarding nurses' (n = 17) pain management practices. Nurses (n = 19) were asked: When managing postoperative pain, what is your overall aim?

Results: Around half the participants (n = 10) aimed for patients to be comfortable while others aimed for a pain score of 2-3 (n = 7), or below 5 (n = 2). Observed practices matched aims for just more than half the participants (n = 9).

Practice implications: There is evidence of individual variation in practices. This may impact on the care provided.

Keywords: Pediatric nurse; postoperative pain.

Publication types

Observational Study
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Child
Clinical Nursing Research
Humans
Pain Measurement
Pain, Postoperative / prevention & control*
Pediatric Nursing