NEONATAL PAIN - FROM CONCEPT TO RESEARCH QUESTIONS AND A ROLE FOR THEADVANCED PRACTICE NURSE

The assessment and treatment of neonatal pain remain inconsistent in s pite of scientific evidence and agreement among practitioners that neo nates do experience pain. In fact, pain forms the basis for many subse quent maturational events and may mediate future responses to pain. Th e article outlines the concept of pain in the neonate, provides sugges tions for future research, and discusses the instrumental role of the advanced practice nurse in the recognition and treatment of neonatal p ain.