Appendix
I
FOUR PAIN COMMANDMENTS FOR PARENTS
- Pay
attention to your child’s reports of pain and the impact
of pain on his/her quality of life.
- What
words does your child use to describe pain?
- What
factors help to relieve the pain?
- What
factors make the pain worse?
- When
does your child experience the pain? Is it constant? Is there a
pattern to the pain cycle?
- What
effect is the pain having on your child’s moods, sleep, social
activities, school, etc.?
- Be
proactive in learning about your child’s pain.
- Ask
your child’s physician(s) to explain the cause of the pain
and the pros and cons of possible treatment options.
- Find
out if the health care provider can provide you with educational
materials about pediatric pain assessment and treatment options.
If appropriate, ask for additional sources of information about
your child’s particular type of pain (web sites, pain organizations,
etc.).
- Explore
non-pharmacologic methods that can be used in conjunction with
pain medication to help relieve your child’s pain (e.g.,
massage, exercise, distraction, humor).
- Find
out what you can do to comfort your child prior to and during a
painful procedure.
- Ask
for guidance on the best way to explain pain and pain treatments
to your child. Educating your child will help reduce anxiety and
promote cooperation.
- Participate
in pain control decisions and management.
- Ask
your child’s doctor to explain the details and goal of the
treatment plan, including the time frame for achieving the goal.
- If
your child is scheduled for surgery, find out what pain medication
will be available on a scheduled basis as well as an as needed
basis for break-through pain.
- If
narcotics (e.g., morphine) will be used to treat severe pain, make
sure you are informed of all potential risks.
- If
your child requires a painful needle stick procedure, make sure
a numbing agent will be used.
- If
appropriate, clarify your role in administering pain medication
at home and what to look for in terms of possible side effects.
- Ask
your pediatric physician about using a pain diary and how often
to communicate the data being collected.
- Find
out what you should do if your child continues to complain of pain.
- Notify
your child’s doctor immediately if he/she refuses to comply
with pain treatment.
- Communicate
with your child’s pain management team
- Do
not hesitate to ask questions, express concerns
and/or relay information you think would be
of value in preventing/relieving your child’s
pain.
- Get
to know all of the members of your child’s
pain management team; learn about their areas
of expertise and the best way to communicate
with them.
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