Nursing team communication with regard pain in newborns : a descriptive study

Abstract

Aim: To analyze the verbal and nonverbal communication of nursing professionals with newborns during arterial punctures and calcaneus, from the perspective of health promotion. Method: A descriptive study, conducted in March 2012, which considered 27 interactions involving nurses and newborns. Results: data were organized into two themes: verbal communication of nursing professionals before, during and after the painful procedure, and nonverbal communication during the painful procedure according to the Proxemics Theory. Newborns showed professionals expressions of tranquility and crying through nonverbal communication. However, the nurses continued using verbal communication prior to the pain of such procedures. Conclusion: The nurses investigated established effective verbal or nonverbal communication to newborns. Such an attitude promotes holistic and humane care in the hospital setting, with a focus on health promotion.