Non-pharmacological approaches to control pediatric cancer pain: nursing team view^*

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

A new challenge for pediatric cancer is pain control and it is believed that different professionals should be involved in this process, including the nursing team. So, there is the need for nursing care evaluation with regard to pain in cancer children. This study aimed at identifying pain measurement scales and non-pharmacological methods used by a pediatric nursing team.

METHODS:

This is a descriptive, exploratory study carried out with 35 nursing professionals of the Children and Adolescents Cancer Hospital of Barretos, from June to September 2014. A questionnaire with 36 questions was used, added of 4 more for nursing professionals, related to the objective of the study. Data were analyzed by the SPSS v21.0 program.

RESULTS:

There has been a small number of right answers with regard to the adequate use of scales for children from zero to 2 years of age. Only 3 (21.4%) nurses have chosen the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale. Most common non-pharmacological methods were: comfort measures (n=22), massage (n=18), environmental changes (n=16) and heat (n=16). Nevertheless, it was observed that among 15 subjects suggesting other methods, 10 have mentioned drugs. Only 4 (28.6%) nurses prepared nursing pain-related diagnoses and 7 (50%) believed that their care helped in pain management.

CONCLUSION:

We have identified the need for training on pain measurement scales according to age, possible non-pharmacological methods used by the nursing team and their association with the nursing process.

Keywords:
Child; Nursing team; Nursing team professional; Oncology; Pain management; Pediatrics