title: The ten commandments of pain assessment and management in preterm neonates.
abstract: Despite advances in pain assessment and management, nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic analgesic therapies continue to be underutilized in managing both acute and procedural pain in preterm neonates. Untreated acute, recurrent, or chronic pain related to disease or medical care may have significant and lifelong physiologic and psychological consequences. Painful procedures in the NICU may be unavoidable, so it is vital that caregivers balance the painful, medically necessary care with evidence-based nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic strategies to relieve pain and stress. We present Ten Commandments of pain assessment and management in preterm neonates to promote the use of best practices and compassionate care in the NICU.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, The University of Texas, 1700 Red River, Mailcode D0100, Austin, TX 78701-1499, USA. mwaldennnp@aol.com
authors.forename: Marlene
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Walden
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carrier
mesh_terms: D000698:Analgesia / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D004374:Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D020345:Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / Q000150:complications; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal / Q000379:methods*; D017283:Neonatal Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000150:complications