A client's family member inquires about the suitable interventions for managing a child's pain.
What information should the nurse provide to the family member regarding non-pharmacological interventions for pediatric pain management?

Choice A rationale:

Using a face pain scale to indicate pain intensity is a suitable method for assessing pain in children who are pre-verbal or developmentally disabled.

This approach involves showing the child a series of faces with different expressions ranging from happy to very sad, and the child can point to the face that best represents their current level of pain.

This visual scale provides a simple and effective way to gauge pain intensity when verbal communication is limited or not possible.

Choice B rationale:

Watching how the child behaves in response to pain is another valuable method for assessing pain in children who cannot communicate verbally or have developmental disabilities.

Observing their behavior, such as crying, grimacing, or changes in posture, can provide important clues about their pain level.

Non-verbal cues are especially relevant in assessing the pain experience of pre-verbal or developmentally disabled children.

Choice C rationale:

Using a doll to demonstrate the location of pain may not be an effective method for assessing pain in children with limited communication skills or developmental disabilities.

This method assumes that the child can understand and accurately point to the doll to indicate the location of their pain, which may not always be the case.

Choice D rationale:

Asking questions about the child's pain is generally not suitable for pre-verbal or developmentally disabled children, as they may not be able to provide coherent responses to questions about their pain.

Choice E rationale:

Conducting a comprehensive pain assessment is essential, but it often includes methods like choices A and B for pre-verbal or developmentally disabled children.

While a comprehensive assessment is crucial, the methods for these specific populations should prioritize non-verbal cues and visual pain scales.

Choice A rationale:

The statement, "You should be feeling better soon," is not the most appropriate response because it assumes the client's condition will improve without assessing the current pain level or understanding the client's experience.

Pain is subjective, and the nurse should first gather information about the pain's intensity and character before making such an assumption.

Choice B rationale:

This is the most appropriate response among the options provided.

It shows the nurse's concern for the client's pain and seeks to understand the pain's trajectory.

By asking if the pain is getting worse or better, the nurse is addressing the client's current experience and providing an opportunity for the child to express their feelings, which is essential in pediatric nursing.

Choice C rationale:

The statement, "I know you're hurting, but it's important to be brave," while well-intentioned, does not address the client's pain assessment.

It focuses more on encouraging bravery rather than gathering information about the pain, which should be the primary concern during the assessment.

Choice D rationale:

The statement, "You must be in a lot of pain," is somewhat presumptive and doesn't actively involve the client in the assessment process.

It assumes the client's level of pain without allowing the child to express their feelings or provide more information about the pain.