Pain is the Fifth Vital Sign. Pain scales measure patient's pain, using different methods. Pain may be evaluated as a single measure (intensity only) or using several measures (duration and intensity); the Brief Pain Inventory uses an interview to assess how pain affects the ability to function in daily life.

List of pain measurement scales

• Visual analog scale (VAS)
• McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ)
• Descriptor differential scale (DDS)
• Faces Pain Scale (FPS)
• Numerical 11 point box (BS-11)
• Numeric Rating Scale (NRS-11)
• Dolorimeter Pain Index (DPI)
• Brief Pain Inventory (BPI)
• Walid-Robinson Pain Index (WRI) = Intensity upon admission (0-10) X Length (in months)..

Specialized tests

• Pediatric Pain Questionnaire (PPQ) for measuring pain in children
• Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP) for measuring pain in premature infants
• Schmidt Sting Pain Index and Starr sting pain scale both for insect stings
• Colorado Behavioral Numerical Pain Scale (for sedated patients)

Notes