Numeric Rating Scale (0 – 10)
Ask the patient: “On a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 is no pain and 10 is the worst pain you can imagine, how much pain are you in right now?”
Selected score:
0 /
10
Category: No pain
Category: No pain
This is a subjective score. Reassess regularly and document the score and category (e.g. “Pain 8/10 – severe, sharp abdominal pain; reassessed after analgesia”).
| Score | Category | Typical Description |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | No pain | Comfortable, no pain. |
| 1–3 | Mild pain | Pain is present but does not limit normal activity; patient can talk and rest comfortably. |
| 4–6 | Moderate pain | Pain interferes with some activities, concentration or sleep; patient is clearly uncomfortable. |
| 7–10 | Severe pain | Pain dominates the patient’s attention; marked distress, limited or unable to perform normal activities. |
Other validated tools exist (e.g. faces scales for children, dementia pain scales). Choose a scale appropriate for the patient’s age, language and cognitive status.