Pediatric Palliative Care and Hospice: Pain Assessment and Intervention

Presented by Joan Chrastek

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Video Runtime: 43 Minutes; Learning Assessment Time: 33 Minutes

Good pain management for children who have hospice and palliative care needs can be complex and challenging. However, some simple steps can make achieving excellent pain control for many children easier. Using case studies, this course builds and discusses examples of interventions that can be helpful. This course is designed to be an introduction to assessment, nonpharmacological interventions, and pharmacological interventions. Some of the concepts are similar to concepts in the care of adults; others are different. This course also brings in the voice of a parent to help the learner better understand the family point of view.

Meet your instructor

Joan Chrastek

Joan “Jody” Chrastek was born and brought up in India and trained as a nurse in Scotland. She has worked as a midwife and hospice nurse in the UK, India, and the USA with adults and children. She has worked in hospice and palliative care for more than 35 years in both inpatient and community settings. She has provided…

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Chapters & learning objectives

The Pediatric Pain Assessment

1. The Pediatric Pain Assessment

Before treatment can begin, a good assessment must be done to ascertain the cause of the pain. The barriers to good pain control, age-appropriate assessment tools, and the concept of total pain are discussed in this chapter.

Nociceptive and Neuropathic Pain

2. Nociceptive and Neuropathic Pain

This chapter reviews nociceptive and neuropathic pain. It is important to understand the difference between them as treatment and interventions for each can vary. Helpful tips for assessing this pain in children are given.

Nonpharmacological Interventions

3. Nonpharmacological Interventions

Medications are powerful and often essential tools for relieving pain in children, teens, and young adults. However, nonpharmacological interventions can provide significant relief and often can help the medications to be more effective. It is important for the clinician to know how to make use of both to help relieve suffering.

Opioids and Nonopioids in Pediatric Pain Management

4. Opioids and Nonopioids in Pediatric Pain Management

Common medications used for pain are introduced in this chapter, including adjunct medications, which work alongside analgesics. It is important for clinicians to have a basic understanding of helpful analgesics and the side effects to be aware of when caring for children in pain.

General Guidelines for Pain Management

5. General Guidelines for Pain Management

The final chapter provides general tips to follow when managing pain in this population. It discusses the importance of a plan for pain management when a painful procedure is needed. It is important for clinicians to understand the importance of pain avoidance when possible and management when not.