Understanding the FLACC Pain Scale for Toddlers: A Comprehensive Guide

Nurses and doctors can use several scales to determine how much pain a toddler is experiencing after an operation or medical procedure. One common scale is the FLACC, which stands for Face, Legs, Activity, Cry and Consolability. Each item on the scale can receive a score of 0, 1 or 2.

Face

• Face refers to the child's expression. A blank expression or a smile scores 0. Occasional grimaces or unhappy expressions score 1. Frequent or constant frown or quivering jaw scores 2.

Legs

• The child's leg movement can also indicate discomfort. Relaxed legs score 0. Some restless movement of the legs scores 1. Kicking or curling up the legs scores 2.

Activity

• A toddler in pain will move in a different way. Lying quietly or moving comfortably scores 0. Squirming tensely scores 1. Arching the back or going stiff scores 2.

Cry

• A toddler's crying is his most obvious indicator of pain. No crying scores 0. Some crying or whimpering scores 1. Constant wailing or crying scores 2.

Consolability

• The toddler's ability to be consoled indicates how distracting her pain is. Contentment that doesn't require distraction scores 0. If she stops crying in response to touching, hugging or holding, she scores 1. Inability to be consoled scores 2.

Function

• Nurses use this scale for babies and children younger than age seven to rate how much pain the child is experiencing, usually after an operation or medical procedure.