Decision-making processes used by pediatric and neonatal intensive care unit nurses in medicating infants for postoperative pain

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Title Decision-making processes used by pediatric and neonatal intensive care unit nurses in medicating infants for postoperative pain
Publication Type thesis
School or College College of Nursing
Department Nursing
Author Seifert-Hultgren, Marianne
Date 1988-06
Description Neonatal and pediatric intensive care unit nurses from two Intermountain West referral centers participated in a study to discern decision-making processes in administering analgesics to postoperative infants. The study utilized a qualitative questionnaire involving clinical scenarios regarding medication practices. Patient medication records were reviewed to discover the trends of medication administration practices for postoperative infants in the previous year. The results of the study demonstrated no influence of demographic variables on the assessment or treatment of pain in infants and few differences between neonatal and pediatric intensive care unit nurses' philosophies or practices. Work experience was identified as the major influence over analgesic administration. Nurses identified crying as the major indicator of pain in infants. Eighty percent of nurses share the goal of pain relief and 67% choose to administer analgesics as their first action after making the diagnosis of pain. Confusion exists regarding analgesia and sedation. Needs for nursing education are identified.
Type Text
Publisher University of Utah
Subject Drug Therapy
Subject MESH Pediatric Nursing; Infant, Newborn; Critical Care; Decision Making; Postoperative Care; Pain, Postoperative; Pain, Postoperative; Analgesics
Dissertation Institution University of Utah
Dissertation Name MS
Language eng
Relation is Version of Digital reproduction of "Decision-making processes used by pediatric and neonatal intensive care unit nurses in medicating infants for postoperative pain Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library.
Rights Management © Marianne Seifert-Hultgren.
Format application/pdf
Format Medium application/pdf
Format Extent 1,280,173 bytes
Identifier undthes,4074
Source Original: University of Utah Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library (no longer available)
Master File Extent 1,280,314 bytes
ARK ark:/87278/s68917pb
Setname ir_etd
ID 191077
Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s68917pb
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