Nurses’ aims when managing paediatric post-operative pain: is what they say the same as what they do?

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore nurses' aims when managing postoperative pain and whether reported aims reflect actual practices. DESIGN AND METHODS: Participant observation was used to collect data regarding nurses' (n = 17) pain management practices. Nurses (n = 19) were asked: When managing postoperative pain, what is your overall aim? RESULTS: Around half the participants (n = 10) aimed for patients to be comfortable while others aimed for a pain score of 2-3 (n = 7), or below 5 (n = 2). Observed practices matched aims for just more than half the participants (n = 9). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: There is evidence of individual variation in practices. This may impact on the care provided