RT Journal Article
T1 Invasive procedures and atraumatic care in pediatric nursing practice: nurses’ perceptions
A1 Neto, Júlia
A1 Fernandes, Rita J.
A1 Andrade, Luísa
A1 Fernandes, Ilda
A1 Martins, Teresa
A1 Barbieri Figueiredo, Maria do Céu
A1 Carvalho, Fernanda
A1 Lima, Lígia
AB Introduction: Invasive procedures in pediatric nursing practice require a childcenteredapproach to minimize pain levels associated with manifestations ofstress, anxiety, and long-term traumatic reactions.Method: This cross-sectional study aimed at identifying nurses’ perception ofstress, anxiety, and pain levels in children and adolescents (0–18 years)undergoing invasive procedures, and strategies used to minimize theassociated distress. Based on a literature review, an online questionnaire wasdeveloped that evaluates the distress associated with frequent invasiveprocedures and strategies used to reduce discomfort.Results: Participants were 157 nurses who provided nursing care to children in alltypes of healthcare settings, such as hospitals and community health centers.Nurses evaluated lumbar puncture and catheter insertion as the proceduresthat caused more stress, anxiety, and pain in all age groups. ANOVA andpost-hoc analyses indicate that nurses perceived adolescents as experiencingless stress than children in all the invasive procedures. Pediatric specialistnurses perceived a significantly higher total level of distress (an index thatindicates stress, anxiety or pain in the whole group of procedures) comparedto nurses with other specialties or generalist nurses, in all age groups. Nonpharmacologicalstrategies were the most frequently used strategies used bynurses for minimizing distress in children, including distraction (51.2%),preparation (30.7%), and sensory techniques (14.6%). Pharmacologicalstrategies, such as topical anesthetics and light sedation, were lessfrequently used.Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of specialized training andknowledge concerning strategies to reduce distress in pediatric invasiveprocedures, suggesting the need for more significant investment in educationand support for nursing professionals to improve patient experience
PB Frontiers Media
SN 2296-2360 (electrónico)
YR 2025
FD 2025-05
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10272/25650
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10272/25650
LA eng
NO Neto J, Fernandes R, Andrade L, Fernandes I, Martins T, do Céu Barbieri-Figueiredo M, Carvalho F and Lima L (2025) Invasive procedures and atraumatic care in pediatric nursing practice: nurses’ perceptions. Front. Pediatr. 13:1543138. doi: 10.3389/fped.2025.1543138
NO The author(s) declare that financial support was received forthe research and/or publication of this article. This study wasfunded by FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P.,within CINTESIS, R&D Unit (reference UIDB/4255/2020 andreference UIDP/4255/2020)
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Huelva
RD 31 may 2026