Which of the following are components of the FLACC pain scale?

Appeared in: DSSSB 6 September 2024

Explanation

The FLACC scale is a behavioral pain assessment tool, and its name is a mnemonic for the five categories it measures.
The acronym FLACC stands for Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability.
This tool is specifically designed for patients who cannot verbalize their pain, such as infants, young children, or individuals with cognitive impairments.
Each of the five components is scored on a 0-2 scale, leading to a total pain score out of 10.

Option B: This option incorrectly includes 'Limbs' and 'Arms'. The 'L' in FLACC stands for Legs, and the 'A' stands for Activity, not Arms.
Option C: This option incorrectly includes 'Arms' and 'Chest'. The 'A' in FLACC stands for Activity, and the second 'C' stands for Consolability, not Chest.
Option D: This option incorrectly includes 'Limbs' and 'Chest'. The 'L' in FLACC stands for Legs, and the second 'C' stands for Consolability, not Chest.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain FLACC pain assessment scale components as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Accurate pain assessment in non-verbal patients is a critical nursing responsibility to ensure effective pain management and prevent the negative physiological and psychological consequences of untreated pain.
The FLACC scale provides an objective framework that standardizes pain assessment, leading to more consistent and appropriate interventions, such as administering analgesics or providing non-pharmacological comfort measures.
Regularly using and documenting the FLACC score allows the healthcare team to track the effectiveness of pain interventions and adjust the care plan as needed.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of a common nursing assessment tool.
First, identify the core subject of the question, which is the 'FLACC pain scale'.
Recall the mnemonic 'FLACC' and what each letter stands for: F = Face, L = Legs, A = Activity, C = Cry, C = Consolability.
Carefully read each option and compare it to the correct components of the mnemonic.
Eliminate the options that contain incorrect terms (e.g., Limbs, Arms, Chest).
Select the option that perfectly matches the five components of the FLACC scale.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Qm8eECazCwFKzaC4UW7EO4

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 1 p. 724-726

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 234-236

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Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.