Assessment of Children's Pain in Oncology Unit

Abstract

Most children with cancer will be at risk for significant pain at some time during
the course of their illness. Pain may be a product of the disease itself or the result of
medical intervention in the form of diagnostic procedures, surgery, and chemotherapy,
or radiation therapy. An adequate standard of care requires that the clinician
systematically assess and effectively manage pain on a routine basis for all children
with cancer.
Aim of the study was to :- a) Assess pain with invasive monitoring procedures (pre
& post procedure): - vein puncture, lumber puncture & bone marrow aspiration &
biopsy. - b) Assess Current symptoms pre receiving of chemotherapy, - c) Assess
Intensity pain with like methods of chemotherapy, d) Assess Family & child's pain
experience within the period of treatment
A total of 50 patients age between (6 – 12 years) in oncology unit in central child
teaching hospital & children teaching hospital in medical city, from 25th of January to
25th of April 2009. Using questionnaires which has 3 parts, part one – demographic
characteristics Part two – assessment pain with monitoring procedures, current
symptoms pre receiving of chemotherapy, intensity of pain with methods receiving of
chemotherapy. Part three – family & Childs experience pain with use facial
expression with poker chips color
Results were analyzed by descriptive statistical including (frequency, percentage,
mean of score). Results showed that (50%) of patients were age 6-8 years &
diagnosed leukemia, 60% males & number of chemotherapy less than 6th courses,
(72%) duration of diseases less than 6th months, 56% number admissions to hospital
with out chemotherapy were 3-7 time. Vein Puncture (60%) of sample feeling no pain
pre procedure, (80%) feeling some pain bother post procedure Lumber Puncture
(50%) of sample feeling pain that does not bother pre procedure, (80%) feeling sever
pain post procedure Bone Marrow Aspiration (60%) of sample feeling some pain
bother pre procedure, (100%) feeling unbearable pain post procedure. (40%) fear Pre
receiving chemotherapy. (60%) methods receiving of chemotherapy both
intravenously & intrathecaly, intravenously methods pain is most hurt while
intrathecaly methods pain is the most hurt could ever have. Family experience toward
assess pain tool, them showed these easily. Child experience with pain (60%) use
word discomfort or no communication when feel pain
In conclusions the study revealed the pain more than in post monitoring
procedure specific in lumber puncture & high level in bone marrow aspiration, fear is
the most symptoms syndrome for patients pre receiving of chemotherapy,
intravenously methods most methods pain for patient. Most families the tool painMDJ Assessment of Children's Pain in Oncology Unit Vol.:8 No.:3 2011
270
showed easily & easily transport & more children use words to expression pain & no
communication