FLACC Scale
The FLACC Scale is a measurement tool nurses use to assess pain in patients who cannot communicate verbally, especially young children and non-verbal patients. The name stands for Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability - these are the five areas nurses observe to rate pain levels. It's similar to other pain assessment tools like the Wong-Baker Scale, but FLACC is specifically designed for healthcare providers to make objective observations rather than relying on patient self-reporting. This tool is commonly used in pediatric units, post-operative care, and critical care settings.
Examples in Resumes
Regularly performed pain assessments using FLACC Scale in pediatric unit
Trained new nurses on proper use of FLACC pain assessment technique
Documented patient care using FLACC Scale and other assessment tools
Typical job title: "Pediatric Nurses"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Pediatric Nurses
Professional Organizations
Online Communities
Job Resources
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you train new nurses in using the FLACC Scale?
Expected Answer: A senior nurse should explain their teaching approach, including demonstration, supervised practice, and verification of accurate scoring. They should mention common mistakes to watch for and how to ensure consistency between different nurses' assessments.
Q: How do you modify pain assessment approaches when FLACC isn't appropriate?
Expected Answer: Should discuss alternative pain assessment tools, when to use them, and how to determine the most appropriate assessment method for different patient populations.
Mid Level Questions
Q: Describe how you would use the FLACC Scale to assess a post-operative pediatric patient.
Expected Answer: Should explain the observation process for each component (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability), how to score them, and what interventions they would consider based on different scores.
Q: How do you document FLACC Scale assessments and communicate findings to the healthcare team?
Expected Answer: Should discuss proper documentation procedures, frequency of assessments, and how to effectively communicate findings to doctors and other team members.
Junior Level Questions
Q: Can you explain what each letter in FLACC stands for and what you observe for each?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability, and describe basic observations for each category on a 0-2 scale.
Q: When would you use the FLACC Scale instead of other pain assessment tools?
Expected Answer: Should identify that FLACC is used for non-verbal patients, especially children, and explain basic situations where it's most appropriate.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of FLACC Scale components
- Ability to perform simple pain assessments
- Basic documentation of findings
- Understanding when to alert senior staff
Mid (2-5 years)
- Consistent accurate pain assessments
- Appropriate intervention selection
- Clear communication with healthcare team
- Patient family education about pain management
Senior (5+ years)
- Training others in pain assessment
- Complex case management
- Policy development and implementation
- Quality improvement initiatives
Red Flags to Watch For
- Unable to explain the components of FLACC
- Lack of pediatric or critical care experience
- Poor observation and documentation skills
- Inability to recognize pain emergencies
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