Children's expectations of pain, perceptions of analgesic efficacy, and experiences with nonpharmacologic pain management strategies at home following tonsillectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To document children's (ages 6-15 years) descriptions of their pain management at home following tonsillectomy.


METHODS
Audio-taped interviews of 80 children were transcribed and coded. Data for each response category were tabulated.


RESULTS
Children reported they had more pain after surgery than expected, the pain medicine helped to take their pain away, taking the pain medicine was associated with a negative response by some children, and cold liquids/food by mouth provided pain relief.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings provide insight into children's perspective of pain management at home following tonsillectomy and methods for relieving their pain.
Sutters
Kimberly A
KA
Surgical Services and Pain Management, Children's Hospital Central California, Madera, USA. ksutters@childrenscentralcal.org
Savedra
Marilyn C
MC
Miaskowski
Christine
C
Holdridge-Zeuner
Danielle
D
Waite
Steven
S
Paul
Steven M
SM
Lanier
Brent
B
D000698:Analgesia / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002140:California; D002648:Child; D017679:Cryotherapy; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006701:Home Nursing / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D009294:Narcotics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D002666:Psychology, Child; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D012146:Rest; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013690:Television; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000451:nursing; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D009294:Narcotics