A nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child following a surgical procedure. Which of the following pain rating scales should the nurse use?

A. Oucher pain rating scale: Appropriate for children aged 3 to 12 years. It uses photographs of children's faces that show increasing discomfort and is helpful for preschoolers like this 4-year-old. B. Word-Graphic rating scale: Designed for older children (usually 6 years and above) who can read and understand descriptive words; not ideal for a 4-year-old. C. Numeric rating scale: Requires the child to understand numerical concepts and rank pain on a 0–10 scale; suitable for children 8 years and older. D. Visual analog scale: Also more suitable for older children and adults who can understand and interpret the abstract concept of a visual continuum.