Nursing Clinical Interventions in the Management of Pain in Pediatric Cancer Patients

Abstract

The literature review studied the pharmacological and Non pharmacological interventions that nurses use in the management of pain in paediatric cancer patients. The study involved the use of CINAHL and Pub-Med database for the data search and literature review which after appropriate screening and careful selection of relevant articles, 10 articles were used to for the Literature review. Evidence based articles which are Peer reviewed from the year 2015-2025 were used. The result of the literature review was grouped into two main categories including Pharmacological interventions and Non-pharmacological interventions. The sub categories of the Non pharmacological intervention includes distraction techniques and therapy and the pharmacological interventions involved opioids and non-opioids pain medications. These sub categories were further expanded to virtual reality, use of toys, interactive books, soap bubbles, massage, relaxation, breathing techniques, aromatherapy and art therapy forming the non-pharmacological nursing interventions for management of pain in pediatric cancer patient. The Pharmacological interventions key findings involves the use of fentanyl, morphine and non-opioids such as anti-depressants, antiemetics, NSAIDS, paracetamol, Gabapentin and topical anaesthetics. In conclusion, Non-pharmacological interventions such distraction techniques, therapy and pharmacological intervention such as opioids and non-opioids are the nurses interventions the nurses use in the management of pain in the paediatric cancer patient and both have significant positive effect on the pediatric cancer pain management.