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Nonpharmacological Approach Essay

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Nonpharmacological therapies for pain management are considered one of the most important responsibility of nursing. The nonpharmacological approach is now common in hospitals and used as either a complement or an alternate to the pharmacologic therapies (APS, 2005). Nonpharmacological approach is a comfort tool that provides coping strategies to reduce pain experience and increase comfort. It includes all interventions aimed to control pain, except the pharmacological ones. It is аn essential раt of the саrе of all children in раin because they are filled with fantasy and magical thinking and desire coping mechanisms that distract them from painful situations.
Nonpharmacological method includes different physical and psychological strategies. …show more content…

Therefore, nonpharmacological approach recommends parental presence that will help to comfort the child (Schechter, Blankson, Pachter, Sullivan, & Costa, 1997). In addition, as fear of the unknown considered an anxiety-provoking experience for the child, this approach includes preparing the child to become acquainted with a situation or procedure before the event.
Further, nonpharmacological method involves mind-body techniques. They are active treatments, which use mental or physical functions to modify, modulate, and relieve pain (Kuttneir, 1995). They empower the children’ personal coping abilities to enable success over painful situation.
Breathing or blowing techniques are one of these strategies. Breathing and blowing techniques are distraction tools as they slow down respirations and promote relaxation. This technique prevents children in pain from holding their breath, which heightens pain sensation. Nurses can add fantasy elements to assist the child such as blowing out candles or the light of a flashlight, or blowing a balloon. They can use suggestive language as well such as,"blow away the owie" or breathes with them to encourage them. Nurses can use this technique even with toddlers using bubbles or other blow toys. Initially, most children do better if their coach. Breathing techniques help in managing acute and chronic episodes of pain and other discomforts such as nausea (McDonnell & Bowden,

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