As an advocate for the child undergoing bone-marrow aspiration, ...

[Anajune7]

As an advocate for the child undergoing bone-marrow aspiration, which intervention would the nurse suggest to decrease the pain experienced due to the procedure?
 
  1. General anesthesia
  2. Conscious sedation
  3. Intravenous narcotics ten minutes before the procedure
  4. Oral pain medication for discomfort after the procedure

Question 2

A parent asks the nurse if there is anything that can be done to reduce the pain that his 3-year-old experiences each morning when blood is drawn for lab studies. Which intervention would the nurse implement based on the parent's concern?
 
  1. Intravenous sedation 15 minutes prior to the procedure
  2. EMLA cream (lidocaine 2.5 and prilocaine 2.5) applied to skin at least one hour prior to the procedure
  3. Use of guided imagery during the procedure
  4. Use of muscle-relaxation techniques

[Jevvish]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 2
Rationale: For the child undergoing repeated procedures, it is important for the child to be sedated prior to and during the initial procedure. General anesthesia is not necessary for bone-marrow aspiration. Narcotics alone will not provide appropriate sedation to keep the child from remembering the procedure. While oral pain medication postprocedure is not inappropriate if discomfort exists, it is not the best answer. The child will have great anxiety and discomfort during the procedures and prior to future procedures.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 2
Rationale: Sedation is not generally used with quick minor procedures such as venipuncture. A 3-year-old is too young to participate in techniques such as muscle relaxation and guided imagery. EMLA cream is shown to be effective in providing topical anesthesia if applied at least one hour prior to the procedure.