Eufemia Jacob

Nausea, Pain, Fatigue, and Multiple Symptoms in Hospitalized Children With Cancer

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To describe the prevalence, frequency, severity, and distress of multiple symptoms in hospitalized children with cancer and to examine the overall symptom scores and global distress in patients reporting nausea, pain, and fatigue. DESIGN Descriptive design with repeated measures. SETTING Inpatient pediatric hematology-oncology unit. SAMPLE 39 inpatients (ages 10-17) diagnosed with cancer. METHODS Five-day data collection using the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS) Pediatric 10-18. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Thirty-one symptoms included in the MSAS Pediatric 10-18. FINDINGS The most common symptoms (prevalence greater than 34%) were nausea, fatigue, decreased appetite, pain, and feeling drowsy. Differences in symptom experiences occurred in the presence of nausea, pain, and fatigue compared to days when they were not reported (p < 0.001). Prevalence of pain and fatigue symptoms decreased over the five days (p < 0.05), but not nausea (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Nausea, pain, and fatigue were among the most prevalent symptoms in hospitalized children with cancer; however, the most prevalent symptoms were not always the most severe or distressing. The presence of these symptoms significantly impacted symptom experience, including total burden of symptoms experienced by the child (i.e., global distress). IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING Additional examination of symptom management is needed. Nausea and its related symptoms have received little attention and more effective interventions are warranted. Multidimensional scales and the use of handheld electronic devices to track symptoms may be used to provide a more comprehensive assessment and treatment of symptoms.

Usability Testing of a Smartphone for Accessing a Web-Based e-Diary for Self-Monitoring of Pain and Symptoms in Sickle Cell Disease

We examined the usability of smartphones for accessing a web-based e-Diary for self-monitoring symptoms in children and adolescents with sickle cell disease (SCD). One group of participants (n=10; mean age, 13.1±2.4 y; 5 M; 5 F) responded to questions using precompleted paper-based measures. A second group (n=21; mean age, 13.4±2.4 y; 10 M; 11 F) responded based on pain and symptoms they experienced over the previous 12 hours. The e-Diary was completed with at least 80% accuracy when compared to paper-based measures. Symptoms experienced over the previous 12 hours included feeling tired (33.3%), headache (28.6%), coughing (23.8%), lack of energy/fatigue (19.0%), yellowing of the eyes (19.0%), pallor (19.0%), irritability (19.0%), stiffness in joints (19.0%), general weakness (14.3%), and pain (14.3%), rating on average as 2.0±1.7 (on 0 to 10 scale). Overall, sleep was good (8.1±1.4 on the 0 to 10 scale). In conclusion, children with SCD were able to use smartphones to access a web-based e-Diary for reporting pain and symptoms. Smartphones may improve self-reporting of symptoms and communication between patients and their health care providers, who may consequently be able to improve pain and symptom management in children and adolescents with SCD in a timely manner.

Changes in intensity, location, and quality of vaso-occlusive pain in children with sickle cell disease.

&NA; A descriptive, longitudinal design was used to examine changes in current, worst, and least pain intensity during hospitalization for a vaso‐occlusive episode in children with sickle cell disease. Other dimensions of the pain experience including location and quality were also evaluated. Children reported severe pain on the day of admission with 50% of the episodes showing a current pain intensity score of >70 and a worst pain intensity score of >80. Although both pain intensity scores demonstrated statistically significant decreases by approximately 5% over the course of the hospitalization, these decreases were not clinically significant based on the recommendations made in the American Pain Societys Guideline for the management of acute and chronic pain in sickle cell disease. In contrast to the pain intensity ratings, which did not decrease in 25% of the episodes, pain location surface area decreased in 100% of the episodes. Children described the quality of vaso‐occlusive pain using all categories of word descriptors from the adolescent pediatric pain tool. These findings suggest that pain associated with a vaso‐occlusive episode is inadequately assessed and managed during hospitalization.

Variations in Pain, Sleep, and Activity During Hospitalization in Children With Cancer:

This study examines the pain experiences of children with cancer during hospitalization. A descriptive design with repeated measures was used to describe the location, intensity, and quality of pain, pain medications, amount of pain relief, and perceptions of sleep and activity during hospitalization. Data were collected once daily from the day of admission for up to a maximum of 5 consecutive days during hospitalization. Results show that more than half of the patients (27 of 49 patients) indicated they were having pain. Eleven patients (22.4%) had mild pain (mean = 2.3 ± 0.9 SD; range, 0.3-3.6), 10 (20.4%) had moderate pain (mean = 5.3 ± 0.2 SD; range, 5.0-5.5), and 6 (12.2%) had severe pain (mean = 7.6 ± 1.3 SD; range, 6.5-10.0). The highest pain intensity ratings occurred on day 1. Overall, most patients reported good relief after pain medications during hospitalization. Consistent assessment and implementation of pain interventions within the 24 hours of admission is recommended, with particular attention to persistent pain after painful procedures.

Assessment of sickle cell pain in children and young adults using the adolescent pediatric pain tool

The objectives of this study were to describe and compare the characteristics of pain experienced by children and young adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) in inpatient and outpatient settings. The Adolescent Pediatric Pain Tool (APPT), a multidimensional self-report pain assessment, was completed by African American children and young adults (mean age 15.39 +/- 4.32) with SCD during a clinic visit (n = 52), day hospital visit (n = 29), or during the first 24 hours of an inpatient stay (n = 72). Multiple linear regression revealed that pain intensity, number of body areas with pain, and the quality of pain were related to age, sex, and care setting. Pain intensity, location, and quality were of greater magnitude than previous reports of early postoperative pain in children. Examining the specific dimensions of pain intensity, location, and quality and the influencing factors of age, sex, and care setting may lead to more effective treatments for SCD pain.

Management of vaso-occlusive pain in children with sickle cell disease.

Purpose A descriptive, longitudinal design was used to evaluate the pain management strategies used in children with sickle cell disease who were experiencing pain during a vaso-occlusive episode. Methods A list of the medications (name, amount, mode of delivery, and frequency) prescribed and administered for pain management for each participant was recorded on the Medication Quantification Scale Worksheet, starting from day 1 of hospitalization to the day of discharge. Children were asked once each evening to provide three separate ratings of how much the pain medication helped them during the day, evening, and night using a 0-to-10 rating scale. Results Using patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), children self-administered only 35% of the analgesic medications that were prescribed and reported little pain relief. No significant relationships were found between changes in pain relief scores and the amount of analgesics administered. Conclusions Clinicians need to monitor the amount of analgesics delivered in relationship to pain relief and assist children to titrate PCA administration of analgesics to achieve optimal pain control, or to advocate for changes in the PCA regimen when children cannot assume control of pain management.

Remote monitoring of pain and symptoms using wireless technology in children and adolescents with sickle cell disease

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine (a) symptoms, (b) pain characteristics (intensity, location, quality), (c) pain medications and nonpharmacological strategies used for pain, (d) thoughts and feelings, and (e) healthcare visits. We also examined the relationship between pain and sleep. Data sources: Pain and symptoms were entered on an electronic e‐Diary using a smartphone and were remotely monitored by an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). Sixty‐seven children and adolescents (10–17 years) reported mild to severe pain at home that did not require healthcare visits. Symptoms reported were (a) general symptoms such as tiredness/fatigue (34.7%), headache (20.8%), yellowing of the eyes (28.4%); (b) respiratory symptoms such as sniffling (32.9%), coughing (19.1%), changes in breathing (10.0%); and (c) musculoskeletal symptoms such as stiffness in joints (15.8%). A significant negative correlation was found between pain and sleep (r = −.387, p = .024). Factors that predict pain included previous history of sickle cell disease (SCD) related events, symptoms, and negative thoughts. Conclusion: Pain and multiple symptoms entered on a web‐based e‐Diary were remotely monitored by an APRN and prompted communications, further evaluation, and recommendations. Implications for practice: Remote monitoring using wireless technology may facilitate timely management of pain and symptoms and minimize negative consequences in SCD.

Variability of Analgesic Practices for Hospitalized Children on Different Pediatric Specialty Units

This study examined the differences in the prescription and administration of analgesics in eight pediatric specialty units. Medical records of patients (n = 153) who were reported by nurses to be having pain were reviewed. Results showed that there were variations in the type of analgesics prescribed and administered in the different units. Mean doses of opioids were slightly subtherapeutic. The mean doses of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and adjuvants were all within the therapeutic range. There were large intervals between doses of medications. Because few patients had pain scores recorded before and after analgesic administration, evidence of relief was inconclusive, and the actual effectiveness of analgesics could not be consistently evaluated. Undertreatment of pain may result from administration of subtherapeutic analgesic doses, long intervals between administrations of doses, lack of proper documentation to guide practice, or a combination of these reasons.

Quantification of analgesic use in children with sickle cell disease.

ObjectivesThe purposes of this study were: (1) to quantify analgesic use in children with sickle cell disease who were hospitalized for a vaso-occlusive episode, using the Medication Quantification Scale (MQS) and (2) to examine the relationships between pain intensity scores, number of painful areas marked on a body outline diagram, number of word descriptors of pain quality, and amount of analgesic medications administered. MethodsChildren (5 to 19 y) were asked daily to provide pain intensity ratings and describe the location and quality of their pain. The nursing flowsheets were also reviewed to determine the dose, routes, and the number of times analgesic medications were administered in the previous 24 hours. ResultsMean worst pain intensity score on the day of admission was 84.0±9.9 (range 63.8 to 100) on the 0 to 100 Oucher numeric rating scale. The mean MQS score administered on the day of admission was 15.7±4.9 (range 6 to 24). This score decreased significantly by 1.2±0.5 (P<0.0001; range 0.9 to 2.5) each day of hospitalization. Significant correlations were found between various pain characteristics and total MQS scores prescribed at time of admission. DiscussionThe MQS was a useful and sensitive measure to quantify analgesic use in patients with sickle cell disease who were hospitalized for an acute painful episode. The MQS score accounted for variations in the types of analgesic medications, routes of administration, dosing schedules, and opioid dosing requirements.

Adolescent pediatric pain tool for multidimensional measurement of pain in children and adolescents

Very few multidimensional tools are available for measurement of pain in children and adolescents. We critically reviewed the scientific literature to examine the psychometrics and utility of the Adolescent Pediatric Pain Tool (APPT), a multidimensional self-report tool that evaluates the intensity, location, and quality (including affective, evaluative, sensory, and temporal) dimensions of pain. The APPT is available in English and Spanish for children and adolescents, and was modeled after the McGill Pain Questionnaire in adults. We found good evidence for construct validity, reliability, and sensitivity of the APPT for the measurement of pediatric pain. The APPT was used to measure pain in children with different conditions, such as cancer, sickle cell disease, orthopedic, traumatic injuries, and allergy testing. Although the APPT was designed to assess the multiple dimensions of pain, the majority of the reports included results only for the intensity ratings. Unlike the numerical and pediatric faces rating scales, which are widely used in clinical practice and research, the APPT is not limited to the single dimension of pain intensity. It measures multiple dimensions, and may be able to discriminate between nociceptive and neuropathic pain. The APPT is one of a few multidimensional pain measures that can help to advance the science of pediatric pain and its management. When the APPT is used in practice or research, the multiple dimensions of pain may be characterized and compared in different painful conditions. It may guide the use of multimodal interventions in children and adolescents with a variety of pain conditions.