The Clinical Guide to Supportive and Palliative Care for HIV/AIDS

A Clinical Guide to Supportive and Palliative Care for HIV/AIDS • Chapter 3: Assessment of Physical SymptomsFigure 3-4b: Pain Intensity ScalesPain Intensity Scales include the Simple Descriptive Pain Intensity Scale, the Numerical RatingScale and the Visual Analog Scale. These can be used as pediatric pain assessment tools in26 picaschildren over the age of seven or eight who understand the concept of order and number.Simple Descriptive Pain Intensity Scale *NopainIIIMildpainModeratepainSeverepainVeryseverepainWorstpossiblepain0-10 Numeric Pain Pain Intensity Scale Scale 1 *0Nopain1 2 3 4 5Moderatepain6 7 8 9 10WorstpossiblepainVisual Analog Scale Scale (VAS) (VAS) 2 **Nopain* If used as a graphic rating scale, a 10-cm baseline is recommended.** A 10-cm baseline is recommended for VAS scales.Pain as badas it couldpossibly beSource: Acute Pain Management: Operative or Medical Procedures and Trauma. Clinical Practice Guideline #1, AHCPR Publication 92-0032. Rockville, MD: Agency forHealth Care Policy and Research. February 1992.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services • Health Resources and Services Administration • HIV/AIDS Bureau 73