Which interventions should be included in the care plan for an infant experiencing pain?

In managing pain in infants, it is essential to include interventions that are both safe and effective for their developmental stage. Offering a pacifier is a common practice to help soothe infants and can have analgesic effects during painful procedures or experiences. Sucking can be calming and provides comfort, which is why this intervention is appropriate for pain management in infants.

Kangaroo care, which involves skin-to-skin contact between the parent and the infant, is another effective pain management strategy. This method has been shown to provide warmth, stabilize the infant's heart rate and respiratory pattern, and promote bonding, all of which can help reduce stress and pain in the infant.

Guided imagery is not typically applicable in infants due to their limited cognitive ability and understanding. Similar approaches that rely on mental visualization require a level of cognitive maturity that infants do not possess.

Thus, the combination of offering a pacifier and encouraging kangaroo care represents the most suitable interventions for alleviating pain in infants. These strategies are based on the understanding of infant development and their response to comfort measures, highlighting their effectiveness in a pediatric nursing context.