Wong–Baker FACES pain rating scale

Definition

The Wong–Baker FACES pain rating scale is a visual tool used to help patients, especially children, communicate their level of pain. It consists of six faces ranging from a happy face at 0 (no pain) to a crying face at 10 (worst pain).

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Developed by Donna Wong and Connie Baker in 1983 to help children describe their pain.
2. Each face corresponds to a number from 0 to 10, allowing for easy quantification of pain levels.
3. Commonly used in pediatric care but applicable to adults with communication difficulties.
4. Helps in assessing the efficacy of analgesic medications by comparing before and after scores.
5. Endorsed by medical organizations like the World Health Organization for its effectiveness.

Review Questions

• Who developed the Wong–Baker FACES pain rating scale?
• How many faces are on the Wong–Baker FACES pain rating scale?
• Why is the Wong–Baker FACES scale particularly useful in pediatric care?

Related terms

Visual Analog Scale (VAS): A method where patients rate their pain on a continuum between 'no pain' and 'worst imaginable pain'.

Numeric Rating Scale (NRS): A scale where patients rate their pain intensity on a numerical scale from 0 to 10.

Pain Assessment Tool: Various methods used by healthcare providers to evaluate and quantify a patient's level of pain.