Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2026
07:28
A Protocol of Manual Tests to Measure Sensation and Pain in Humans
Published on: December 19, 2016
Measuring acute pain in the prehospital setting
P A Jennings1, P Cameron, S Bernard
1Ambulance Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. paul.jennings@rav.vic.gov.au
Emergency Medicine Journal : EMJ
|July 24, 2009
Summary
Accurately measuring severe pain in emergency patients is challenging. The verbal numerical rating scale is the most practical and valid tool for assessing adult pain in prehospital settings, while the Oucher or faces pain scale is suitable for children.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Pain Management
- Clinical Assessment
Background:
- Severe pain is a frequent emergency department complaint.
- Objective pain measurement presents a significant clinical challenge due to its subjective nature.
- Existing pain assessment tools vary in their suitability for different care settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the essential characteristics of prehospital acute pain measurement tools.
- To evaluate the utility of various pain assessment scales in the prehospital environment.
- To identify the most appropriate pain measures for adult and pediatric patients in prehospital care.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of validated pain measurement tools.
- Appraisal of the characteristics and utility of selected prehospital pain measures.
- Analysis of suitability for adult and pediatric populations in prehospital settings.
Main Results:
- The verbal numerical rating scale is identified as the most appropriate measure for adult prehospital pain assessment.
- The Oucher scale and faces pain scale are deemed suitable for pediatric prehospital pain assessment.
- Practicality and validity are key factors in selecting prehospital pain measures.
Conclusions:
- The verbal numerical rating scale offers a practical and valid method for assessing adult pain in prehospital care.
- The Oucher scale or faces pain scale provides suitable options for prehospital pain assessment in children.
- Effective pain management in prehospital settings relies on appropriate and validated measurement tools.
Related Concept Videos
01:14Temperature Measurement Sites
A thermometer measures body temperature. The common sites for measuring body temperature are the oral cavity, axillary region, temporal artery, and skin surface, such as the forehead, abdomen, and axilla. True core body temperature is assessed in the rectum, tympanic membrane, pulmonary artery, esophagus, and urinary bladder.
Oral: When assessing oral temperature, the thermometer tip should be placed under the tongue in the posterior sublingual pocket. It offers accurate readings and can be...
Oral: When assessing oral temperature, the thermometer tip should be placed under the tongue in the posterior sublingual pocket. It offers accurate readings and can be...
01:25Analgesia and Pain Management
Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...