Wong–Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale

Wong–Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale

Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale with emoji

The Wong–Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale is a pain scale that is widely used in medical settings to help patients communicate their level of pain. It was developed by Donna Wong and Connie Baker in 1983. The scale is particularly useful for children and patients who may have difficulty expressing their pain verbally.

Development and Purpose

The Wong–Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale was created to address the need for a simple, yet effective, method for patients to express their pain levels. The scale uses a series of faces ranging from a happy face at 0, representing "no pain," to a crying face at 10, representing "worst pain imaginable." This visual representation allows patients to select the face that best matches their pain level.

The scale is designed to be easy to understand and use, making it suitable for children as young as three years old, as well as adults who may have communication difficulties. It is often used in pediatric settings, but its simplicity makes it applicable in various healthcare environments.

How to Use the Scale

To use the Wong–Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale, a healthcare provider shows the patient the series of faces and asks them to point to the face that best represents their pain. Each face corresponds to a numerical value, which the provider can then use to assess the patient's pain level and determine appropriate treatment.

The scale is typically presented as follows:

• 0 - No Hurt
• 2 - Hurts a Little Bit
• 4 - Hurts a Little More
• 6 - Hurts Even More
• 8 - Hurts a Whole Lot
• 10 - Hurts Worst

Advantages and Limitations

The primary advantage of the Wong–Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale is its simplicity and ease of use. It does not require literacy or advanced cognitive skills, making it accessible to a wide range of patients. Additionally, the visual nature of the scale can help overcome language barriers.

However, the scale does have limitations. It relies on the patient's subjective interpretation of the faces, which can vary between individuals. Some patients may find it difficult to accurately match their pain to a face, especially if their pain does not fit neatly into one of the categories.

Related Pages

• Pain assessment
• Visual analogue scale
• Numeric rating scale
• Pediatric pain management