Table 3.
Scoring system for infants, young children, cognitively impaired children, anxious children, and any child unable to use faces ladder. Paediatric Pain Assessment: FLACC scale. This pain assessment tool can be used in children <4 years and those with cognitive impairment or unable to use the “FACES” ladder.
| FLACC Scale | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1 | 2 | |
| Face | No particular expression or smile | Occasional grimace or frown, withdrawn, disinterested | Frequent to constant frown, clenched jaw, quivering chin |
| Legs | Normal position or relaxed | Uneasy, restless, tense | Kicking, or legs drawn up |
| Activity | Lying quietly normal position | Squiring, shifting back and forth, tense | Arched, rigid, or jerking |
| Cry | No cry (awake or sleep) | Moans and whimpers, occasional complaint | Crying steadily, screams or sobs, frequent complaints |
| Consolability | Content, relaxed | Reassured by occasional touching, hugging or being talked to, distractable | Difficult to console or comfort |
Each of the five categories Face (F), Legs (L), Activity (A), Cry (C), Consolability (C), is scored from 0–2. This results in a total score of 0–10.