Scoring system for infants, young children, cognitively impaired children, anxious children, and any child unable to use faces ladder. Paediatric Pain Assessment: FLACC scale. This pain assessment tool can be used in children 4 years and those with cognitive impairment or unable to use the “FACES” ladder.
FLACC Scale
0
1
2
Face
No particular expression or smile
Occasional grimace or frown, withdrawn, disinterested
Frequent to constant frown, clenched jaw, quivering chin
Legs
Normal position or relaxed
Uneasy, restless, tense
Kicking, or legs drawn up
Activity
Lying quietly normal position
Squiring, shifting back and forth, tense
Arched, rigid, or jerking
Cry
No cry (awake or sleep)
Moans and whimpers, occasional complaint
Crying steadily, screams or sobs, frequent complaints
Consolability
Content, relaxed
Reassured by occasional touching, hugging or being talked to, distractable
Difficult to console or comfort
Each of the five categories Face (F), Legs (L), Activity (A), Cry (C), Consolability (C), is scored from 0–2. This results in a total score of 0–10.
