Perceptions of nursing professionals front the pain of newborns in a neonatal intensive therapy unit

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to know the perceptions of nursing professionals regarding the identification of pain in the newborn, as well as to assess the level of knowledge of these professionals regarding the existence and applicability of pain assessment scales for newborns and possible nursing interventions to be performed. Methodology: This is a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and cross-sectional study conducted at the Intensive Care Unit of Hospital Escola in the city of Itajubá, State Minas Gerais. The present study counted on the participation of 20 professionals who answered two instruments to capture the data from March to June 2016. The analysis was done by the statistical program Excel version 2013 and as for the data, it was recorded by means of interview, it has been used the analysis of content proposed by Laurence Bardin. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Teresa D'Ávila University Center. Results: The following categories were listed: Yes, Venous Puncture, Crying, Non-pharmacological interventions, Yes, NIPS scale and Non-use of scale. Conclusion: This study will enable the critical reflection of professionals involved in the care of the neonate in pain situation, sensitizing them to interpret and minimize pain in the human being who is not yet able to verbalize it.