Issues in comprehensive pediatric nursing
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The seriously ill or terminally ill child with cancer has received inadequate pain control in the past, partly due to physicians' and nurses' fears and misconceptions regarding the administration of effective pain medications to a child. Advances in assessment techniques in the infant and young child, as well as increasing use of pain assessment questionnaires and VAS in the older child, have mandated changes in administration of analgesia to children. ⋯ The goal of therapy for the dying child is to maintain comfort and support the child and the family. Providing analgesia in the hospital or the home has proven safe and effective when administered either orally or parenterally, and comfort of the child is achieved.