OBJECTIVE: To measure pain in neonates during placement of central line catheter via peripheral insertion by comparing pain at the moment of the introduction of the catheter and pain at the progression of the catheter. METHODS: This was a descriptive exploratory study with 28 neonates from a large teaching hospital in Sao Paulo city. Data were collected with the Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP) 15 seconds prior the initial introduction of the catheter, during the initial introduction of the catheter (30 seconds), and during the progression of the catheter (30 seconds). RESULTS: The majority of neonates (59.1%) had a score e" 7 on the PIPP, moderate to high pain intensity, during the initial introduction of the catheter. A greater number of neonates (45.5%) who did not receive analgesic or sedative medication had score e" 7 on the PIPP, moderate to high pain intensity, during the progression of the catheter. CONCLUSION: There is a need for adoption of use of analgesic medication in the neonatal unit, since neonates often undergo invasive and painful procedures.
Neonatal Nursing; Measurement of Pain; Neonatal Critical Care Unit
