3 Brain Tumor Nursing Care Plans

Acute Pain

Patients with brain tumors may experience acute pain due to the compression of sensitive structures, increased pressure within the skull, and the invasion of nerve pathways. The severity and location of the pain may vary depending on the size, location, and type of the tumor. Effective pain management is important to enhance the patient’s quality of life and minimize the impact of the tumor on their daily activities.

Nursing Diagnosis

• Acute Pain

May be related to

• Biologic injuring agents

Possibly evidenced by

• Verbal complaints of pain
• Headache in the frontal or occipital area that is worse during the morning and becomes worse with straining or if the head is dropped
• Changes in vital signs
• Hostile, tense behavior
• Restlessness

Desired Outcomes

• The child will rate pain as less than (specify pain rating and scale used).

Nursing Assessment and Rationales

1. Assess the severity and duration of a headache; observe precipitating factors, recurrence, and progressive characteristics.
Provides data about the presence of a tumor as a headache is a most usual symptom in the child.

2. Ascertain the child’s perception of the word “pain” and ask the family what word the child normally uses. Use a pain assessment tool appropriate for the age and developmental level to determine the pain intensity.
Promotes better communication between child/family and nurse during the assessment.

3. Form a preventive strategy for pain management around the clock; note for physiologic and behavioral signs of pain.
Allows immediate identification of pain which improves measures for pain relief.

Nursing Interventions and Rationales

1. Instruct the child to refrain from sneezing, coughing, or straining during defecation.
Avoids straining that triggers or aggravates a headache.

2. Apply a cool compress on the head for low to moderate pain.
Promotes comfort and ease from a headache and reduces facial edema if present.

3. Provide toys and games for quiet play.
Provides diversionary activity to detract from pain.

4. After surgical intervention, opioids such as morphine sulfate may be initially given. Monitor for side effects such as sedation and respiratory depression; use Naloxone to block the effects of opioids.
Rarely do side effects occur, and opioids can be administered safely with appropriate monitoring.

5. Educate parents and child about analgesics, to administer in anticipation of a headache and the type to give (sustained release) and that it will help to control a headache.
Manages pain before it becomes severe.

6. Assist parents to formulate activities that will not trigger or heighten headache pain.
Promotes stimulation for a child’s development needs.

7. Administer analgesic as prescribed.
Used for the treatment of pain due to central nervous system tumors.