Percepção dolorosa dos recém-nascidos prematuros em unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal

Abstract

Constant exposure to painful stimuli by neonates admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit has a significant impact on their growth and development and, therefore, there is a need for professionals who are prepared to meet their needs in terms of adequate pain management. This work sought to explore the data available in the literature about the role of nursing professionals in the face of the pain perception of premature newborns in a neonatal intensive care unit, with the following research question: how is pain management performed by nursing professionals in premature newborns. In this sense, the integrative literature review was used as a methodology. Obtaining the information was based on searching the databases: BDENF and LILACS, consulted through the Virtual Health Library (VHL), which resulted in 14 selected studies. The results revealed that pain remains a topic that is still little discussed in clinical practice, despite its recognition in premature newborns. The low knowledge on the part of most nursing professionals about specific pain assessment methods in neonatology was noticed, as well as the scarcity of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions available for pain relief and control in these neonates. It is necessary to have continuous training of nursing professionals in neonatal intensive care units, with the intention that theoretical knowledge accompanies practice in the service, and thus, it is possible to provide the best care to the newborn, especially in terms of pain management.