title: Pain control in the terminally ill child at home.
abstract: The seriously ill or terminally ill child with cancer has received inadequate pain control in the past, partly due to physicians' and nurses' fears and misconceptions regarding the administration of effective pain medications to a child. Advances in assessment techniques in the infant and young child, as well as increasing use of pain assessment questionnaires and VAS in the older child, have mandated changes in administration of analgesia to children. It is the responsibility of the health-care team of provide adequate pain control to the ill child, using knowledgeable assessment and monitoring skills. The goal of therapy for the dying child is to maintain comfort and support the child and the family. Providing analgesia in the hospital or the home has proven safe and effective when administered either orally or parenterally, and comfort of the child is achieved.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Meehan
mesh_terms: D000698:Analgesia / Q000379:methods*; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010147:Pain Measurement; D013727:Terminal Care
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid