NFDN 2005

Report on Progress of Professional Portfolio

IDENTIFY

L-3 Pediatric Pain Management

COMPETENCY
L-3-2 Demonstrate knowledge and ability to adapt pain management
NUMBER, LETTER
and comfort measures for pediatric client:
AND
SUBCATEGORY
DESCRIPTION

OF

One significant learning experience I have acquired in this course is

ONE SIGNIFICANT

how to demonstrate the knowledge and ability to adapt pain

LEARNING

management and comfort measures for pediatric client: physical,

EXPERIENCE
COURSE

IN THIS

psychological, and pharmacological methods. Pain is defined as an

unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or
potential tissue damage or described in terms of such damage.
Encourage family involvement in managing the childs pain.
Physiological responses may include skin flushing diaphoresis,
increased heart rate and/or increased respiration, and/or increased
blood pressure, drop in oxygen saturation, restlessness, or dilated
pupils. ), psychological methods of pain management have focused on
anxiety and pain management via behavioral means. In addition, ample
research has been devoted to how best to prepare children and their
parents for upcoming painful or distress-provoking procedures (e.g.,

surgery, hospitalization, injection). Some measures include distraction,

cognitive behavioral therapy, and additional promising interventions.
Behavioral interventions such as relaxation training, breathing
exercises and imagery. Pharmacologically the most commonly used
medications include; Acetaminophen, commonly used medication for
treatment of mild pain, NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories)
for treatment of mild to moderate pain, Opioids, for treatment of
moderate to severe pain. Local Anesthetics, topical anesthetics should
be used for all skin-breaking procedures including, but not limited to,
venipuncture, IV starts, lumbar puncture, skin biopsies and bone
marrow - Topical analgesics can be used for chronic pain has also been
proven beneficial to the pediatric patient. Use of physical strategies in
conjunction with pharmacological and psychological strategies can
promote lower levels of anxiety, distress and pain.
WHAT I LEARNED

I have learnt that when management pain in children, be honest about

what will be painful, but reassuring as well. Trust is important.
Explain procedures and sensations that the child will feel. Children do
not like medical surprises, no one does. Tell the child what is about to
happen, each step before the next. Preparing children for procedures
will encourage cooperation most of the time. Having a parent or loved
one present during a painful treatment may be all that is needed. Utilize
parents for comfort only. Encourage the expression of feelings and that,
it is okay to be afraid, cry, shout, etc. Only give a child a choice when

one is present. (Which chair to sit in, etc.) Above all, believe children
when they say they are in pain. Pain is a complex sensation that takes
many factors into consideration and translates into a physical
expression. Children should not have to fight to be heard when they are
in pain. I have also learnt that patients have a responsibility for their
pain they should ask their healthcare providers what to expect
regarding pain and its management, discuss pain relief options with
doctors and nurses, Work with healthcare providers to develop pain
management plans. Report pain when it first begins help healthcare
providers measure pain at all stages of care and tell healthcare
providers if pain is not relieved.
I will rate myself as good. What I did to achieve this competency is
that I attend theory classes in Nursing Foundation 2005 course, and I
do prepare for every class by reading through the slides prior to coming
PROFICIENCY

to class. This helps improve my understanding during class lecture. I

RATING

also have a group discussion with my classmates sometimes after class

so as to debrief each other on the lesson taught. I am able to apply the
knowledge I have acquired in this course on my 3 year old boy and my
7 years old girl.

WHY IT WAS

The identification of the pediatric patients preferred self-imposed pain

MEANINGFUL /

management methods will significantly affect the delivery of nursing care for

SIGNIFICANT

these patients. The ability to recognize the childs preferred interventions will
allow the nurse to better assess and care for the childs pain. Interventions can be
developed accordingly that will significantly decrease the childs overall level of

pain. Develop a plan of care to manage pain consistently and document

what works. Though it is important for the nurse to monitor physical findings,
such as pulse and blood pressure, it is even more necessary to receive a selfreport from the child regarding her pain due to the fact that pain is a subjective
experience. Currently, nurses use a variety of pain scales to assess a childs pain
and pain relief measures are initiated based on this nursing assessment.

I will apply the knowledge I have acquired in the Nursing Foundation

HOW I WILL APPLY

2005 course in the upcoming Clinical Integration Assessment and also

LEARNING

in future nursing practice. I will continue to apply knowledge acquired

THIS

IN

NURSING PRACTICE

from this course on my 3 years old son and my 7 years old daughter, so
that they will be well brought up.

Student Name: Atabongafac Glory Asong_____________________________________________

Course: NFDN 2005______________________________________________________________
Date: October 13, 2015____________________________________________________________
Instructor/Tutor: Angela Goudman____________________________________________________