A UTILIZAÇÃO DAS ESCALAS DE AVALIAÇÃO DA DOR EM PEDIATRIA

An important part of pediatric treatment is assessing pain in children, as they often cannot communicate the intensity of pain verbally. The objective, therefore, was to analyze the effectiveness of the use of pain assessment scales in pediatrics by the nursing team. Methodologically, the integrative literature review was carried out according to Whittemore and Knafl’s guidelines, with searches in the PubMed, Google Scholar and Scielo databases, using the descriptors “pain assessment”, “nursing” and “pediatrics”. Studies on the use of pain scales in pediatric patients were included, regardless of the type (validation, clinical use, systematic reviews), published in the last 10 years and written in Portuguese, English or Spanish. Review articles, theses, monographs, repeated or paid articles, and those that did not specifically focus on pain scales for pediatrics were excluded. As a result, the review of studies indicates that, although these scales are widely recognized and used by the nursing team, there is an evident need for greater training and awareness among professionals to ensure their correct and effective application. Therefore, it is concluded that, to maximize the effectiveness of pain assessment scales in pediatrics, it is essential to invest in continuous training, develop protocols adapted to the individual needs of children and explore new technologies that complement traditional approaches. These steps will improve the quality of care provided as they also contribute to a more welcoming and compassionate environment for children and their families.