Pediatric nurses' knowledge and attitudes survey regarding pain

The purpose of this study is to determine pediatric nurses' current attitudes and knowledge regarding pain. The Pediatric Nurses' Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Pain Survey was completed by a convenience sample of 274 nurses at a large children's medical center. Sixty-six percent of the questions were answered correctly. Nurses with their master's degree scored significantly higher (75%). Hematology/oncology nurses (76%), nurses from the intensive care unit (71%), and emergency room nurses (70%) scored significantly higher than nurses from other patient care units. Pain management knowledge deficiencies were identified, including assessment; pharmacologic management with opioids, nonopioids, and adjuvant medications; risks of addiction; risks of respiratory depression; nonpharmacologic pain interventions; and the treatment of procedural pain, surgical pain, and cancer pain.