Which pain rating tool is appropriate for a 3-month-old infant who is 6 hours postoperative after a cleft palate repair?

The FLACC Scale is the appropriate pain rating tool for a 3-month-old infant who is 6 hours postoperative after a cleft palate repair. This scale is specifically designed for use in infants and young children who are unable to communicate their pain verbally. The FLACC Scale assesses pain based on five criteria: face, legs, activity,cry, and consolability, each rated on a scale from 0 to 2, which allows healthcare providers to evaluate the level of pain based on observable behaviors.

In the case of very young children, such as infants, the use of more complex tools like the Numeric Pain Scale or Visual Analog Scale is not suitable because they require a level of understanding and communication that the child has not yet developed. Additionally, the Wong-Baker Faces Rating Scale, which relies on the recognition and interpretation of facial expressions, may not be applicable to very young infants who cannot comprehend or replicate those expressions.

Using the FLACC Scale provides a reliable method for assessing pain in this population and helps ensure that the infant receives appropriate pain management following surgery.