Pediatric pain intervention in the PACU

The assessment and management of a child's pain in the postoperative period remain a challenge to the PACU nurse. Assessment of pain in children is often difficult; ongoing clinical research in this area continues to expand knowledge of how to improve children's communication of their pain to caregivers. Many pain management strategies are available, both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic, to ease pain and distress postoperatively. Through understanding and knowledge of pain, its assessment and its management, the PACU nurse contributes positively to the child's surgical experience.