Elizabeth A Duffy1, Nancy Dias2, Verna Hendricks-Ferguson3, Melody Hellsten4, Micah Skeens-Borland5, Cliff Thornton6, Lauri A Linder7. 1. University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, MI. Electronic address: eaduffy@umich.edu. 2. East Carolina University College of Nursing, Greenville, NC. 3. Saint Louis University School of Nursing, St. Louis, MO. 4. Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX. 5. Hematology/Oncology Department, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH. 6. Herman & Walter Samuelson Children's Hospital of Sinai, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD. 7. University of Utah, College of Nursing, Salt Lake City, UT; Primary Children's Hospital, Salt Lake City, UT.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To report evidence regarding pain assessment and management for children and adolescents receiving treatment for cancer. DATA SOURCES: Published research and clinical guidelines. CONCLUSION: Children and adolescents experience multiple sources of pain across the cancer continuum. They require developmentally relevant approaches when assessing and managing pain. This review suggests that consideration of the developmental stage and age of the child are essential in both pain assessment and pain management. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Pediatric oncology nurses play a key role in developmentally appropriate pain assessment, identification of potential strategies to manage pain, and delivery of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies.
OBJECTIVE: To report evidence regarding pain assessment and management for children and adolescents receiving treatment for cancer. DATA SOURCES: Published research and clinical guidelines. CONCLUSION:Children and adolescents experience multiple sources of pain across the cancer continuum. They require developmentally relevant approaches when assessing and managing pain. This review suggests that consideration of the developmental stage and age of the child are essential in both pain assessment and pain management. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Pediatric oncology nurses play a key role in developmentally appropriate pain assessment, identification of potential strategies to manage pain, and delivery of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies.