The Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability (FLACC) Scale
Evaluates postoperative pain in young children.
For patients who are awake:
- Observe for at least 1–5 minutes.
- Observe legs and body uncovered.
- Reposition the patient or observe activity. Assess the body for tenseness and tone.
- Initiate consoling interventions, if needed.
For patients who are asleep:
- Observe for at least 5 minutes.
- Observe body and legs uncovered.
- Reposition the patient, if possible.
- Touch the body and assess for tenseness and tone.
Advice
- While no standardized treatment recommendations exist for this tool, higher scores typically indicate more severe pain.
- Scores can be used to inform decisions about initiating or adjusting pain treatments, always in conjunction with clinical judgment.
- Repeat scoring post-analgesic administration and at regular intervals to monitor pain relief and determine if further management is necessary.