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👶 N-PASS (Neonatal Pain, Agitation, and Sedation — Pain Mode)

UseWhen to use: NICU pain assessment alongside prevention bundles.

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Strata≥3 often triggers intensified comfort ± analgesia per unit SOP.

LimitsWhen not to use: ignoring sedation subscale when on infusions. · Pitfall: vitals-only scoring. · Not a sole opioid pathway.

SourceN-PASS Neonatal Pain, Agitation and Sedation Scale (pain mode)

Runs locally in your browser (no PHI uploaded). For licensed clinicians — not a substitute for clinical judgement.
Stored on this device for revisit reminders

This-shift next steps

After scoring: open the scene pack, peer scores, and the matching pathway. Local reference — no HIS write.

Scene next step
📋sedation deliriumOpen scene pack →
Related scores
Matching pathway
🧭benzo_odOpen pathway →
Score + version; reference only — not a substitute for care · no HIS write

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Methodology · worked example, guidelines & full notes
Clinical takeaway

0–10 pain.

When to use

When to use: NICU pain assessment alongside prevention bundles.

How it works

Five domains × 0–2 (cry, behavior, face, extremities, vitals).

Key points

  • 0–10 pain.
  • ≥3 common cue.
  • Next: nonpharm / unit algorithm.

References

  • N-PASS Neonatal Pain, Agitation and Sedation Scale (pain mode)

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.

Crying / irritability (0–2)1 — intermittent / consolable with difficulty
Behavior state (0–2)1 — restless / arched intermittently
Facial expression (0–2)1 — intermittent grimace
Extremities / tone (0–2)1 — intermittent clenched / digit splay
Vital signs (0–2)1 — ↑10–20% HR/RR/BP or mild desat

→N-PASS pain5/10

  • Cue：≥3 — common cue to escalate comfort / consider analgesia per unit protocol
Crying / irritability (0–2)0 — appropriate / consolable
Behavior state (0–2)0 — sleep / calm appropriate
Facial expression (0–2)0 — relaxed
Extremities / tone (0–2)0 — relaxed hands/feet
Vital signs (0–2)0 — baseline

→N-PASS pain0/10

  • Cue：0–2 — lower pain/agitation cue; continue prevention
Verification & sources · governance
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Does N-PASS (Neonatal Pain, Agitation, and Sedation — Pain Mode) 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 N-PASS (Neonatal Pain, Agitation, and Sedation — Pain Mode) calculated in practice? Can you show a worked example?
Inputs: Crying / irritability (0–2) 1 — intermittent / consolable with difficulty, Behavior state (0–2) 1 — restless / arched intermittently, Facial expression (0–2) 1 — intermittent grimace, Extremities / tone (0–2) 1 — intermittent clenched / digit splay, Vital signs (0–2) 1 — ↑10–20% HR/RR/BP or mild desat → Result: N-PASS pain 5 /10（Cue: ≥3 — common cue to escalate comfort / consider analgesia per unit protocol） Inputs: Crying / irritability (0–2) 0 — appropriate / consolable, Behavior state (0–2) 0 — sleep / calm appropriate, Facial expression (0–2) 0 — relaxed, Extremities / tone (0–2) 0 — relaxed hands/feet, Vital signs (0–2) 0 — baseline → Result: N-PASS pain 0 /10（Cue: 0–2 — lower pain/agitation cue; continue prevention）
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