Factors affecting nurses' decisions to administer pediatric pain medication postoperatively.
Factors associated with pediatric nurses’ decisions to medicate for postoperative pain as well as knowledge and attitudes concerning analgesia were investigated in 38 nurses using the Nurses’ Pediatric Pain Relief Questionnaire. The charts of 38 children who were hospitalized for major surgery were reviewed for analgesia orders. Baccalaureate preparation in nursing was associated with the selection of more medium and high doses of analgesics on the questionnaire. School-aged children received the most pain medication. Medication orders were below therapeutic levels in about half the charts reviewed. 0 7988 by Grune & Stratton, Inc.