Pediatric Oncology Nurses' Knowledge of Pain Management in the Actively Dying Child

Abstract

Background: Pain is one of the most under treated symptoms among pediatric oncology patients during they dying process. There is a significant lack of pediatric specific studies that identify children’s perception and expression of pain. There is currently a lack of studies regarding recognition of pediatric pain in the actively dying child. Through utilization of approved pain scales, medications, and improvement in knowledge about identifying pediatric pain, pediatric oncology nurses can work to improve the quality of care delivered among actively dying children. Purpose: The purpose of this DNP project was to evaluate potential knowledge gain among pediatric oncology nurses regarding pain identification and management in the actively dying pediatric oncology patient after completion of an evidence based educational presentation. Methods: The method for this DNP project was a one group pre-test, intervention, post-test method was used. Participants for this DNP project included Pediatric Oncology Registered Nurses employed at Banner University Medical Center-Tucson Campus, on the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/Bone Marrow Transplant Unit. Recruitment for this project occurred through the units private/secure social media Facebook page. Results: The sample size for this project was small and consisted of 12 matched and completed pre- and post-tests. Data analysis using paired t-tests showed improvement from the pre-test mean score (79.6%) to the post-test mean score (97.9%). Data analysis revealed statistically significant findings as evidenced by a p-value of 0.000058 (alpha level <0.05). Discussion: Data analysis through descriptive statistics and paired t-test demonstrated an increase in knowledge among this small group of pediatric oncology nurses’ regarding pain management in the actively dying child. Participants also reported they would utilize the education provided to enhance their pain assessment skills, pain management techniques and delivery of care among actively dying pediatric oncology patients.