Chapter 5: Pain Assessment in and Management in Children - Nurselytic

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: No hurt is a phrase that is simple, concrete, and appropriate to the preoperational stage of the child. Using color is complicated for this age group. The child needs to identify colors and pain levels and then choose an appropriate symbolic color. This is appropriate for an older child. Zero is an abstract construct not appropriate for this age group. Least pain is less concrete than no hurt.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The FACES scale is validated for use with children ages 3 years and older. Children point to the face that best describes their level of pain. The scale can be used through adulthood. The childs estimate of the pain should be used. The physiologic measures may not reflect more long-term pain.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Nonpharmacologic techniques provide coping strategies that may help reduce pain perception, make the pain more tolerable, decrease anxiety, and enhance the effectiveness of analgesics. The nonpharmacologic strategy should be matched with the childs pain severity and be taught to the child before the onset of the painful experience. Tricking children into believing they do not have pain may mitigate the childs experience with mild pain, but the child will still know the discomfort was present.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Nonnutritive sucking attenuates behavioral, physiologic, and hormonal responses to pain. The addition of sucrose has been demonstrated to have calming and pain-relieving effects for neonates. Tactile stimulation has a variable effect on response to procedural pain. No evidence supports commercial warm packs as a pain control measure. With resulting increased blood flow to the area, pain may be greater. The infant should not be disturbed during the sleep cycle. It makes it more difficult for the infant to begin organization of sleep and awake cycles.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The PCA prescription can be set for a basal rate for a continuous infusion of pain medication. Additional doses can be administered by the patient, parent, or nurse as necessary. Although the goal of PCA is to have effective pain relief, a pain-free state may not be possible. With a 6-year-old child, the parents and nurse must assess the child to ensure that adequate medication is being given because the child may not understand the concept of pushing a button. Evidence-based practice suggests that effective analgesia can be obtained with the parents and nurse giving boluses as necessary. The prescription for the PCA includes how much medication can be given in a defined period. Monitoring every 1 to 2 hours for patient response is sufficient.