A nurse is planning care for a 2-month-old infant following a surgical procedure. Which of the following pain rating scales should the nurse use to determine the infant's pain level?
Explanation & Rationale
A. OUCHER scale: This scale uses photographs of children’s faces to help children aged 3 years and older self-report pain. It is not suitable for infants who cannot verbally communicate or understand the images. B. FLACC scale: The FLACC (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability) scale is an observational tool designed for infants and young children who cannot self-report pain. It assesses pain based on behavioral cues and physiological indicators, making it appropriate for a 2-month-old. C. FACES scale: This scale involves children pointing to a series of faces to indicate their pain level, which requires cognitive and verbal skills typically seen in children aged 3 years and above, not infants. D. PANAD scale: The Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia (PAINAD) scale is designed to assess pain in adults with advanced dementia who cannot communicate verbally. It is not applicable to infants.