Pain Score Calculator 2025: Complete Guide to Pain Assessment Scales
Pain is subjective and multidimensional. Accurate assessment guides treatment and improves outcomes. Our Pain Score Calculator implements five validated scales for all ages and cognitive levels. This guide covers indications, interpretation, and best practices.
Why Assess Pain?
Pain is the 5th vital sign. Unrelieved pain delays healing, increases stress, and reduces quality of life.
Pain Scales Overview
1. Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)
- Range: 0–10
- Use: Verbal adults/children >8
- Interpretation: 0=none, 1–3=mild, 4–6=moderate, 7–10=severe
2. Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
- Range: 0–100 mm
- Use: Research, adults
- Interpretation: Same as NRS (×10)
3. Wong-Baker FACES
- Range: 0–10 (even numbers)
- Use: Children 3–18, cognitively impaired
- Validated: Correlates with NRS
4. FLACC (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability)
- Range: 0–10
- Use: Pre-verbal children (2 months–7 years), non-verbal
- Score: 0–3=mild, 4–6=moderate, 7–10=severe
5. PAINAD (Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia)
- Range: 0–10
- Use: Dementia, end-of-life
- Score: 1–3=mild, 4–6=moderate, 7–10=severe
Interpretation & Management
| Score | Level | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | None | Reassess PRN |
| 1–3 | Mild | Non-opioid (acetaminophen, ibuprofen) |
| 4–6 | Moderate | Weak opioid + non-opioid |
| 7–10 | Severe | Strong opioid, urgent review |
Best Practices
- Use same scale for consistency
- Assess at rest and with movement
- Reassess 30–60 min after intervention
- Document score, location, quality
- Consider cultural/language barriers
Special Populations
- Children: Use faces or behavioral scales
- Elderly: PAINAD for dementia
- ICU: CPOT or BPS
- Neonates: N-PASS
Limitations
- Subjective (except behavioral)
- May underestimate in stoic patients
- Not diagnostic of cause
Advanced Tips
- Pair with Symptom Checker
- Use in Anesthesia planning
- Track trends in EHR
FAQs
Can children use NRS? Yes, if >8 years and understand numbers.
Is FACES scale copyrighted? Yes, but widely used with permission.
What if patient can't communicate? Use FLACC or PAINAD.
Conclusion
Routine pain assessment is essential for humane care. Use our 2025 Pain Score Calculator with the appropriate scale. Treat pain early, reassess often, and adjust therapy. Always consider multimodal analgesia and non-pharmacological methods.
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