Evaluation of pain of neonates during invasive procedures in intensive care

Abstract

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Neonates do not verbalize pain, so it is up to health professionals involved with their assistance to be qualified to evaluate pain during invasive procedures to plan relief strategies. This study aimed at evaluating pain in neonates admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit during invasive procedures. METHODS: Crossover investigation with 34 neonates admitted to the intensive care unit of a general hospital, from December/2012 to February/2013. Data were collected with the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale and analyzed by descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Procedures triggering more pain were tracheal tube aspiration, airways and venous puncture. Babies had severe pain during tracheal intubation and passage of peripheral insertion central catheter. CONCLUSION: Evaluating pain as the fifth vital sign with validated scale during invasive procedures is critical for planning and implementing ethic and humanized nursing assistance.