Purpose: This study aimed to assess pediatric nurses' knowledge and skills in pain management and examine the factors influencing their proficiency in this area. Design and methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the knowledge of pediatric nurses in Greece. Data were collected from six public pediatric hospitals using a convenience sampling method, yielding a sample of 154 nurses. The Demographic Information Questionnaire and the Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain (KASRP) were utilized. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) software. Results: The study found that pediatric nurses had a mean score of 51.98% on the pain management knowledge questionnaire, highlighting significant gaps in understanding, particularly regarding opioid use and pain intensity indicators. Scenario-based decision-making revealed that only a small percentage of participants correctly identified the appropriate dosage for pediatric pain management. Key areas for improvement were identified, especially in the proper use of opioids and pain assessment scales. Discussion: The findings of this study highlight the need for targeted educational interventions and training programs to enhance pediatric nurses' competencies in pain management. Improving nurses' knowledge and clinical decision-making could contribute to more effective pain relief and higher-quality care for pediatric patients.
Albani et al. (Wed,) studied this question.