Keywords

Pain measurement scales, Visual analogue scales

 

Authors

  1. Dalton, Jo Ann Ed.D, R.N., F.A.A.N.
  2. McNaull, Faye R.N., C.S., M.P.H., M.B.A.

Abstract

Pain is difficult to measure, regardless of etiology. Furthermore, the measurement of pain is complicated by variation in the use of visual analogue scales as well as other pain assessment measures. This brief article reviews situations contributing to confusion regarding pain intensity measures and argues for consistency in its measurement with adults not experiencing cognitive disorders in the clinical setting.