FLACC PAIN SCALE

Each of the five categories is scored from 0-2:

(F) Face; (L) Legs; (A) Activity; (C) Cry; (C) Consolability.
The total score will be 0-10.

For: Pediatric/Pre-verbal (validated 2 months to 7 years)

Not valid for children with developmental delay.

CATEGORY SCORING
0 1 2
Face No particular Occasional grimace Frequent to
expression or smile or frown, withdrawn, constant quivering
disinterested chin, clenched jaw

Legs CATEGORY Normal position or Uneasy, restless,

SCORING Kicking, or legs
relaxed 0 tense 1 drawn2up
Face No particular Occasional grimace Frequent to
expression or smile or frown, withdrawn, constant quivering
Activity Lying quietly, normal Squirming, shifting
disinterested Arched,
chin, rigid
clenched jawor
position, moves back and forth, jerking
Legs Normal position or
easily Uneasy,
tense restless, Kicking,
NIPS PainorScale
legs
relaxed tense drawn up Pain Assessment
Facial Expression
Cry No cry (awake or Moans or whimpers; Crying 0 steadily,
Restful face, neutral expression
asleep) occasional screams
1 orTight
sobs,
facial muscles; furrowed brow, chin, jaw
(negative facial expression—nose, mouth an
Activity Lying quietly, normal complaint
Squirming, shifting Cryfrequent complaints
Arched, rigid or
position, moves back and forth, jerking 0 Quiet, not crying
Consolability easily relaxed
Content, tense
Reassured by Difficult
1
to Mild
console
moaning, intermittent
Loud scream; rising, shrill, continuous
occasional touching, or comfort
2 (Note: Silent cry may be present)
Cry No cry (awake or Moans or whimpers;
hugging or being Crying steadily,
Breathing Pattern
asleep) occasional screams 0 or sobs, Relaxed (usual pattern for this infant)
talked to, distractible Change in breathing (irregular, faster than us
complaint frequent1 complaintsgagging, breath holding)
Arms
Consolability Content, relaxed Reassured by Difficult0 to console
No muscular rigidity; occasional random arm
The FLACC Behavioral Scale for Postoperative Pain in Young Children. Merkel Sl, et al. (1997). 1 Tense, straight arms; rigid and/or rapid exten
occasional
The FLACC: a behavioral scale for scoring postoperative pain in young touching,
children. Pediatric Nursing,or comfort
23(3),
Legs 293-297.
hugging or being 0 No muscular rigidity; occasional random leg
talked to, distractible 1 Tense, straight legs; rigid and/or rapid extens
State of Arousal
0 Quiet, peaceful sleeping or alert random leg
1 Alert, restless and thrashing
The FLACC Behavioral Scale for Postoperative Pain in Young Children. Merkel Sl, et al. (1997).
Speak up when it hurts To
The FLACC: a behavioral scale for scoring postoperative pain in young children. Pediatric Nursing, 23(3), 293-297.
Lawrence J. Alcock D et al. The development of a tool to assess neonatal pain. N
12 (6 September): 59-66

Excellence
EveryDay
Speak up when it hurts