Pediatric nurses' knowledge and attitudes survey regarding pain.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine pediatric nurses' current attitudes and knowledge regarding pain. METHOD: The Pediatric Nurses' Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Pain Survey was completed by a convenience sample of 274 nurses at a large children's medical center. RESULTS: Sixty-six percent of the questions were answered correctly. Nurses with their master's degree scored significantly higher (75%). Hematology/oncology nurses (76%), nurses from the intensive care unit (71%), and emergency room nurses (70%) scored significantly higher than nurses from other patient care units. CONCLUSIONS: Pain management knowledge deficiencies were identified, including assessment; pharmacologic management with opioids, nonopioids, and adjuvant medications; risks of addiction; risks of respiratory depression; nonpharmacologic pain interventions; and the treatment of procedural pain, surgical pain, and cancer pain.