Abstract
The present study describes the experiences of school-aged children with postoperative pain following tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. Investigation of nursing care for these illnesses was performed using Leininger's ethnonursing method. Six school-aged children were selected as key informants. Twenty-four general informants were selected, including 17 pediatric ward staff, 1 operating room staff and the mothers of the 6 children.
One main theme and six sub-themes were determined during this study. The main theme revealed that school-aged children who experience tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy merely want to get better and the uncertainty of whether they will get better or not is very dominant in their minds.
Results indicate that prior to surgery it is important for nurses to discuss the level of postoperative medical care with the child and mother, as children can not communicate postoperatively due to loss of voice. Following surgery, nurses must ease the pain of school-aged children at an early stage. It is also necessary to check that the child has understood not only the purpose of the discussions with nurses regarding postoperative medical care but also the content of these discussions.
