Pain Scale Information

For Children, usually:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pain_scale

Pain is the Fifth Vital Sign.^[1] Pain scales measure patient's pain, using different methods. Pain may be evaluated as a single measure (intensity only) or using several measures (duration and intensity); the Wong-Baker FACES scale as shown above is a commonly used pain scale for pediatric patients and is now used for others; the Brief Pain Inventory uses an interview to assess how pain affects the ability to function in daily life.

For adults to rate pain:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McGill_Pain_Questionnaire

The McGill Pain Questionnaire, also known as McGill pain index, is a scale of rating pain developed at McGill University by Melzack and Torgerson in 1971.

To use the questionnaire, circle the words that describe your pain but do not circle more than one word in a group. Then when you have that done, go back and circle the three words in groups 1-10 that most convey your pain response. Pick the two words in groups 11-15 that do the same thing. Then pick one word in group 16. Finally, pick 1 word in groups 17-20. At the end you should have seven words that you can take to your doctor that will help describe both the quality of your pain and the intensity of it.

Group 1 Flickering, Pulsing, Quivering, Throbbing, Beating, Pounding

Group 2 Jumping, Flashing, Shooting

Group 3 Pricking, Boring, Drilling, Stabbing

Group 4 Sharp, Gritting, Lacerating

Group 5 Pinching, Pressing, Gnawing, Cramping, Crushing

Group 6 Tugging, Pulling, Wrenching

Group 7 Hot, Burning, Scalding, Searing

Group 8 Tingling, Itching, Smarting, Stinging

Group 9 Dull, Sore, Hurting, Aching, Heavy

Group 10 Tender, Taunt, Rasping, Splitting

Group 11 Tiring, Exhausting

Group 12 Sickening, Suffocating

Group 13 Fearful, Frightful, Terrifying

Group 14 Punishing, Grueling, Cruel, Vicious, Killing

Group 15 Wretched, Binding

Group 16 Annoying, Troublesome, Miserable, Intense, Unbearable

Group 17 Spreading, Radiating, Penetrating, Piercing

Group 18 Tight, Numb, Squeezing, Drawing, Tearing

Group 19 Cool, Cold, Freezing

Group 20 Nagging, Nauseating, Agonizing, Dreadful, Torturing