The nurse is caring for a 4-year-old child who has pain. Which technique will the nurse use to best assess pain in this child?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The FACES scale assesses pain in children who are verbal. Because a 4-year-old is verbal, this is an appropriate scale to use with this child. Assessing pain intensity in children requires special techniques. Young children often have difficulty expressing their pain. Parents' statement of pain is not an effective way to assess pain in children because children's statements are the most important. The 0 to 10 pain scale is too difficult for a 4-year-old child to understand. Previous documentation by nurses will tell you what the child's pain has been but will not tell you the child's current pain intensity.

The Nurse Is Caring for a 4-Year-Old Child Who Has