Effective nursing care for a child in pain requires individualized assessment using age-appropriate tools and a multimodal management approach that combines medication with behavioral strategies.

1. Assessment: The QUESTT Principle

Accurate assessment is the foundation of pain management. The text highlights the QUESTT framework as a key guide:

• Question the child.

• Use a reliable, valid pain scale.

• Evaluate behavior and physiologic changes.

• Secure parental involvement.

• Take the cause of pain into account.

• Take action.

Choosing the Right Tool:

• Infants & Non-verbal: Rely o ...