I'm wondering what you guys do for pain control in ventilated infants? I work in a teaching hospital, and many of the 'docs' take cues from us as to what needs to be ordered, what would be best for the baby, etc. I'm concerned that pain issues are not being addressed for many of these babies. For instance, many ventilated infants on our unit have orders for Ativan, some also have Versed (both PRN q 2-4), and one in a great while has Morphine ordered PRN. Now, forgive me- I'm still learning...but I was under the impression that Versed and Ativan had no analgesic properties? It is the rare baby who has an order for Morphine, and it's usually only temporary, as in post-surg, etc. Also, we have no sucrose on the unit, and it seems that some of the people I work with don't even encourage sucking as a method of soothing the baby. I'm confused!!!! What do you guys give for pain control, why do you give it, and how often? Scenarios welcome- I am a bit lost here! Thanks!
Well, as long as the thread is here, there is something I'd like to ask for my own education.
My cousin had a CDH baby. After surgery they left the epidural in for pain control. After the epidural was removed, the nurse mentioned something about checking his pupils to gauge his pain control. My question is, what was she looking for? Do the pupils become sluggish in the neonate in response to pain?
BabyRN2Be
1,987 Posts
Well, as long as the thread is here, there is something I'd like to ask for my own education.
My cousin had a CDH baby. After surgery they left the epidural in for pain control. After the epidural was removed, the nurse mentioned something about checking his pupils to gauge his pain control. My question is, what was she looking for? Do the pupils become sluggish in the neonate in response to pain?
Thanks, everyone.