🧒 FLACC Pain Scale (Pediatric)
UseWhen to use: infants/children who cannot reliably self-report pain.
StrataHigher scores indicate more pain behaviors; treat and reassess.
LimitsWhen not to use: when a validated self-report scale is feasible. · Pitfall: scoring during feverish irritability without considering non… · Pair with developmental context.
SourceMerkel SI, et al. Pediatr Nurs 1997 (FLACC)
This-shift next steps
After scoring: open the scene pack, peer scores, and the matching pathway. Local reference — no HIS write.
Paste the link in Slack, Teams, X, or LinkedIn — the preview image comes from this page’s Open Graph card.
Methodology · worked example, guidelines & full notes
0–10 total.
When to use
When to use: infants/children who cannot reliably self-report pain.
How it works
Five domains each 0–2; total 0–10.
Key points
- 0–10 total.
- Reassess after analgesia.
- Next: Abbey / Wong-Baker / NIPS.
References
- Merkel SI, et al. Pediatr Nurs 1997 (FLACC)
Worked calculation
The values below come from this tool's own example placeholders and are computed server-side with the formula shown on this page, so the arithmetic can be checked quickly. It demonstrates how to substitute values only — it is not clinical advice and not a real case.
| Face | Occasional grimace / frown / withdrawn (1) |
|---|---|
| Legs | Uneasy / restless / tense (1) |
| Activity | Squirming / shifting / tense (1) |
| Cry | Moans / whimpers / occasional complaint (1) |
| Consolability | Reassured by touching / hugging / talking (1) |
→FLACC5/10
- Band：Moderate pain behaviors
| Face | No particular expression / smile (0) |
|---|---|
| Legs | Normal position / relaxed (0) |
| Activity | Lying quietly / normal position / moves easily (0) |
| Cry | No cry (awake or asleep) (0) |
| Consolability | Content / relaxed (0) |
→FLACC0/10
- Band：Mild / comfortable range
Verification & sources · governance
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
- Does FLACC Pain Scale (Pediatric) upload patient data? Where is it calculated?
- Calculation runs locally in the browser; inputs and results are not uploaded. For licensed clinicians only; interpret with history, investigations and local protocols — not a diagnosis or prescription.
- How is FLACC Pain Scale (Pediatric) calculated in practice? Can you show a worked example?
- Inputs: Face Occasional grimace / frown / withdrawn (1), Legs Uneasy / restless / tense (1), Activity Squirming / shifting / tense (1), Cry Moans / whimpers / occasional complaint (1), Consolability Reassured by touching / hugging / talking (1) → Result: FLACC 5 /10（Band: Moderate pain behaviors） Inputs: Face No particular expression / smile (0), Legs Normal position / relaxed (0), Activity Lying quietly / normal position / moves easily (0), Cry No cry (awake or asleep) (0), Consolability Content / relaxed (0) → Result: FLACC 0 /10（Band: Mild / comfortable range）