The parents of a preterm infant in a neonatal intensive care unit are concerned about their infant experiencing pain from so many procedures.The nurse's response should be based on which characteristic about preterm infants' pain?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Numerous research studies have indicated that preterm and newborn infants perceive and react to pain in the same manner as children and adults.Preterm infants can have significant reactions to painful stimuli.Pain can cause oxygen desaturation and global stress response.These physiologic effects must be avoided by use of appropriate analgesia.Painful stimuli cause a global stress response,including cardiorespiratory changes,palmar sweating,increased intracranial pressure,and hormonal and metabolic changes.Adequate analgesia and anesthesia are necessary to decrease the stress response.

The Parents of a Preterm Infant in a Neonatal Intensive