A nurse is preparing to assess pain in a 6-year-old child who is alert and verbal. Which of the following is the most appropriate way to use the FACES pain scale?

Choice A reason: Limiting use of the scale to times when the child is visibly distressed may miss opportunities to assess pain accurately. Pain can be present without overt signs. Choice B reason: While observing facial expressions can provide clues, the FACES scale is designed for self-report. Assigning a score based on observation alone undermines its purpose. Choice C reason: Asking the child to point to the face that best represents their pain is the correct use of the FACES scale. It empowers the child to self-report pain intensity in a developmentally appropriate way. Choice D reason: Parents may not accurately interpret their child’s pain. The FACES scale is intended for use by the child, not by proxy