Children's expectations of pain, perceptions of analgesic efficacy, and experiences with nonpharmacologic pain management strategies at home following tonsillectomy.
To document children's (ages 6-15 years) descriptions of their pain management at home following tonsillectomy. Audio-taped interviews of 80 children were transcribed and coded. Data for each response category were tabulated. Children reported they had more pain after surgery than expected, the pain medicine helped to take their pain away, taking the pain medicine was associated with a negative response by some children, and cold liquids/food by mouth provided pain relief. Findings provide insight into children's perspective of pain management at home following tonsillectomy and methods for relieving their pain.