Factors associated with acute postoperative pain in pediatric patients: A case study

Abstract

Pain is defined as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage. In pediatrics, postoperative pain has been a poorly addressed topic, with a significant impact on children's health, as it can last for hours or days and cause anxiety and distress. This acute pain is a subjective experience that involves emotional, sensory, cognitive, and behavioral components, which are also influenced by sociocultural, environmental, and developmental factors. The objective of this study was to describe the management of acute pain in pediatric patients by compiling documentary information and analyzing the role of nursing through the development of a support guide for family members. The methodology included research methods such as analysis-synthesis, historical-logical, inductive-deductive, and qualitative, applied in the literature review of various scientific sources. The results showed that, based on a comparison of different studies, it is possible to establish relevant data on pain management in the pediatric population. It was concluded that knowledge and education aimed at family members are essential for coping with postoperative pain in children, promoting their recovery, and ensuring comprehensive and humanized care.