M. Rožič
Klinični oddelek za otroško onkologijo in hematologijo, Pediatrična klinika, Univerzitetni klinični center Ljubljana, Ljubljana

K. Rauter
Klinični oddelek za otroško onkologijo in hematologijo, Pediatrična klinika, Univerzitetni klinični center Ljubljana, Ljubljana

Abstract

Pain represents a state that a sufferer feels and expresses as a strong feeling of discomfort and an unpleasant sensation. Pain is caused by diseases and injuries. How pain is experienced and expressed depends on a child’s development, age, his/her previous experience and cultural and social factors. Pain is a significant problem in children with cancer. Prevention and treatment of pain significantly influences the quality of life of a child and his family. It is always necessary to believe the patient. The basis for pain assessment is a detailed history: • intensity, site, duration of the pain • cause of the pain • emotional state, sleep disturbances • mood • family and social circumstances. After performing a complete medical examination the pain is assessed using an appropriate pain scale with the cooperation of parents and health personnel. Whenever pain is relieved by analgesics, the standard of the analgesic scale of the World Health Organisation also applies in children.

Key words: pain, pain management, morphine, nursing care, subcutaneous infusion.