Question

A nurse is caring for a 2-week-old infant who is breastfeeding and requires a heel stick. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to minimize the infant's pain?

a. Instruct the mother not to breastfeed for 1 hr after the procedure.
b. Undress the infant and place him under a radiant warmer prior to the procedure.
c. Administer sucrose to the infant prior to the procedure.
d. Recommend the mother avoid placing the infant in the kangaroo hold after the procedure.

Answer 1

To reduce pain during a heel stick, administering sucrose before the procedure is an effective strategy. Other options mentioned are not considered effective for pain management in this context.

Step-by-step explanation:

To minimize an infant's pain during a heel stick procedure, the nurse should administer sucrose to the infant prior to the procedure. This method involves using a sweet-tasting solution to provide pain relief to the infant. Research has shown that sucrose can help reduce pain perception in infants through its soothing effects, and it is a common practice to give newborn infants a small amount of sucrose on a pacifier before procedures that may cause discomfort. Options such as instructing mothers not to breastfeed, undressing the infant placing them under a warmer, or avoiding the kangaroo hold post-procedure are not considered effective pain management strategies for breastfeeding infants undergoing heel sticks.