Children's expectations of pain, perceptions of analgesic efficacy, and experiences with nonpharmacologic pain management strategies at home following tonsillectomy.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To document children's (ages 6-15 years) descriptions of their pain management at home following tonsillectomy.

DESIGN AND METHODS:

Audio-taped interviews of 80 children were transcribed and coded. Data for each response category were tabulated.

RESULTS:

Children reported they had more pain after surgery than expected, the pain medicine helped to take their pain away, taking the pain medicine was associated with a negative response by some children, and cold liquids/food by mouth provided pain relief.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS:

Findings provide insight into children's perspective of pain management at home following tonsillectomy and methods for relieving their pain.

• Authors: Kimberly A Sutters, Marilyn C Savedra, Christine Miaskowski, Danielle Holdridge-Zeuner, Steven Waite, Steven M Paul, Brent Lanier
• Journal: Journal for specialists in pediatric nursing : JSPN (J Spec Pediatr Nurs) Vol. 12 Issue 3 Pg. 139-48 (Jul 2007) ISSN: 1539-0136 [Print] United States
• PMID: 17594294 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural)

Chemical References

• Narcotics

Topics

• Analgesia (methods, psychology)
• Attitude to Health
• California
• Child
• Cryotherapy
• Diet
• Female
• Home Nursing (methods, psychology)
• Humans
• Leisure Activities
• Male
• Narcotics (therapeutic use)
• Nursing Methodology Research
• Pain Measurement
• Pain, Postoperative (diagnosis, prevention & control, psychology)
• Psychology, Child
• Relaxation Therapy
• Rest
• Self Care (methods, psychology)
• Severity of Illness Index
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Television
• Tonsillectomy (adverse effects, nursing)
• Treatment Outcome