flacc_pain_score: FLACC Behavioral Pain Assessment Scale

In cliot: Clinical Indices and Outcomes Tools

FLACC Behavioral Pain Assessment Scale

Description

Calculates the FLACC score, a behavioral pain assessment scale used for children between the ages of 2 months and 7 years or individuals unable to communicate their pain. It evaluates five categories: Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability. Each category is scored from 0 to 2, resulting in a total score between 0 and 10.

Usage

flacc_pain_score(face, legs, activity, cry, consolability)

Arguments

face	Numeric (0-2). 0: No particular expression or smile. 1: Occasional grimace or frown, withdrawn, disinterested. 2: Frequent to constant quivering chin, clenched jaw.
legs	Numeric (0-2). 0: Normal position or relaxed. 1: Uneasy, restless, tense. 2: Kicking, or legs drawn up.
activity	Numeric (0-2). 0: Lying quietly, normal position, moves easily. 1: Squirming, shifting back and forth, tense. 2: Arched, rigid, or jerking.
cry	Numeric (0-2). 0: No cry (awake or asleep). 1: Moans or whimpers; occasional complaint. 2: Crying steadily, screams or sobs, frequent complaints.
consolability	Numeric (0-2). 0: Content, relaxed. 1: Reassured by occasional touching, hugging, or being talked to; distractible. 2: Difficult to console or comfort.

Value

A list containing:

FLACC_Score	The calculated total score (Range 0-10).
Interpretation	Clinical interpretation of pain severity (Relaxed, Mild, Moderate, Severe).

References

Merkel SI, Voepel-Lewis T, Shayevitz JR, Malviya S. The FLACC: a behavioral scale for scoring postoperative pain in young children. Pediatr Nurs. 1997;23(3):293-297.

Examples

# Example 1: Severe Pain
# Grimacing(2), Kicking(2), Arched(2), Screaming(2), Difficult to console(2)
flacc_pain_score(2, 2, 2, 2, 2)

# Example 2: Mild Discomfort
# Frown(1), Normal legs(0), Squirming(1), No cry(0), Distractible(1)
# Score = 3
flacc_pain_score(1, 0, 1, 0, 1)

cliot documentation built on Dec. 1, 2025, 1:06 a.m.