IOSR Journal of Nursing and Health Science (IOSR-JNHS) e-ISSN: 2320–1959.p- ISSN: 2320–1940 Volume 8, Issue 1 Ser. V. (Jan. - Feb .2019), PP 09-21 www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/1959-0801050921 www.iosrjournals.org 9 | Page The Effect of a Planned Play Program as a Nursing Intervention in Reducing Post-operative Pain among Children Undergoing Abdominal Surgeries 1 Rabab EL-Sayed Hassan, 2 Mohamed El-Ghazaly Waly, 3 Ohoud Yousef El- Sheikhand 4 Fatma Mefreh Atia 1 Assist professor of Pediatric Nursing. Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University,Egypt 2 professor of Pediatric Surgery. Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Egypt 3 Lectureof Pediatric Nursing. Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University,Egypt. 4 M. sc. Nursing,Ain ShamsUniversity, Egypt Corresponding Author: Rabab EL-Sayed Hassan Abstract Background: Pain may be a universal experience and a major source of distress for children and their families similar as health care providers. Pain affects children of all ages, even a fetus. Nursing interventions to manage pain after surgery are vital to stop undesirable physiological and psychological consequences. Numerous non- pharmacological approaches to alleviate hospitalized children’s pain suggest play as a central part. Aim of the study:This study was done to evaluate the effect of a planned play program as a nursing intervention on reducing post-operative pain among children undergoing abdominal surgeries. Method:A quasi experimental research design was used. Subjects: The study included 70 children of both gender and their caregivers. Tools: Four tools were used to collect data; an interview questionnaire sheet for mothers to collect socio- demographic data and clinical data about the child's health problem, physiological pain assessment tool to obtain baseline data and determine child’s physiological response to pain, faces pain scalewas used as a pain assessment tool for younger group (4-7 years), and FLACC behavioral scale for assessing the behavioral responses of children toward postoperative pain. Results:The finding of this study showed that, children with abdominal surgeries who participate in a planned play program were expressed less postoperative pain intensity than those children who receive routine care. Conclusion:It was concluded that the planned play program had a positive effect on reducing post-operative pain of children undergoing abdominal surgeries. Recommendation:The study recommended planning systematic play sessions to help the child coping with the emotional and physical pain resulting from hospitalization or surgical procedures. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date of Submission: 06-01-2019 Date of acceptance: 21-01-2019 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. Introduction Pain is defined as a universal expertise and asignificant source of distress for children and their families, in addition as health care providers. It affects children of all ages, even a fetus. Pain may end up from varied causes including; illness processes, injuries, procedures, and surgical interventions (Kyle & Carman, 2013). Post-operative pain in the immediate period after surgery is one in all the most considerations of health teams and additionally its inevitable outcomes of operative procedures. Despite the progress of pediatric post- operative pain management and use of analgesic drugs, post-operative pain remains a public drawback, due to problem in pain assessment and considerations concerning side effects of analgesics in pediatrics (Kulshrestha & Bajwa, 2014). Nursing interventions to manage post-operative pain are important to prevent short term effects of unalleviated painlike, exaggerated levels of stress and anxiety for the children and their families, delayed healing of wounds, longer hospital stays, higher admittance rates, additional frequent visits similarly as long run consequences as well as, will increase emotional and behavioral responses throughout future painful events (Lundeberg, 2015; and Hossain, Wiroonpanich, & Orapiriyakul, 2014).Nurses have a moral obligation to alleviate a child’s pain, not merely because of the effects of unalleviated pain, but also because proper pain management may have benefits like, earlier mobilization, shortened hospital stays, and reduced budgets. To offer effective nursing management of children in pain, anticipate the presence of pain and acknowledge the