Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN)

How can the nurse most effectively assess a 2 year old's pain level after tonsil surgery?

1. Use a modified scale of 1-5

2. Assume the child is in pain and administer medication regularly

3. Utilize the Faces Scale for pain assessment

4. Assign a rating based on the FLACC scale

The correct answer is: Assign a rating based on the FLACC scale

Utilizing the FLACC scale for pain assessment is an effective method when evaluating a 2-year-old's pain level after tonsil surgery. The FLACC scale, which stands for Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability, is specifically designed for non-verbal patients or those who may have difficulty articulating their pain. It allows the nurse to assess pain based on observable behaviors, making it particularly suitable for young children who might not fully understand numerical scales or graphic representations of pain. The FLACC scale operates on a scoring system that assigns values to each of the five categories, enabling a comprehensive evaluation of the child's discomfort. This is crucial in a postoperative setting, where the child may be unable to effectively communicate their level of pain verbally. The objective nature of the FLACC scale helps ensure that the child receives appropriate pain management based on their physical responses rather than solely relying on self-reporting. While using a modified scale of 1-5 is an option, it may not be as effective for young children who struggle to comprehend numerical values. Similarly, while the Faces Scale can be useful for children who are capable of engaging with visual aids and understanding the concept of expressing feelings, younger toddlers might not reliably use this method. As for administering