Frequency of use in published tools | Item explanation derived from published tools | |
---|---|---|
FACIAL EXPRESSION | ||
Pained expression | 1 | Facial display of pain |
Frowning | 7 | Lowering and drawing brows together |
Narrowing eyes | 1 | Grimacing, narrowed eyes with tension around the eyes |
Closing eyes | 3 | Not just blinking |
Raising upper lip | 1 | Grimacing, upper lip raised, nose may be wrinkled |
Opened mouth | 1 | The lips are parted, jaw is dropped |
Tightened lips | 2 | Lips are pressed together and appear more narrow |
Clenched teeth | 3 | Teeth are pressed together with tension |
Empty gaze | 1 | Eyes do not reflect any emotion or thinking activity (“blank expression”) |
Seeming disinterested | 1 | Face does not reflect any interest in the environment |
Pale face | 1 | Pale skin colour |
Teary eyed | 5 | Watery eyes |
Looking tense | 3 | Facial display of strain or worry |
Looking sad | 6 | Facial display of unhappiness, sorrow or low mood |
Looking frightened | 6 | Facial display of fear, alarm or heightened anxiety |
BODY MOVEMENTS | ||
Freezing | 2 | Tense, sudden stiffening, rigid, avoiding movement, holding breath |
Curling up | 3 | Curling up the body tightly, pulling in arms and legs |
Clenching hands | 4 | Tensing hands, making fists, grabbing objects tightly |
Resisting care | 5 | Resisting being moved or resisting care, being uncooperative |
Pushing | 2 | Actively pushing somebody or something away |
Guarding | 7 | Protecting affected area, holding body part, avoiding touch, moving away |
Rubbing | 3 | Tugging or massaging affected area |
Limping | 3 | Avoiding pain while walking in an uneven way |
Restlessness | 9 | Fidgeting, agitation, rocking back and forth |
Pacing | 2 | Wandering restlessly back and forth (might also be in a wheelchair) |
VOCALISATION | ||
Using offensive words | 2 | Cursing, swearing, or using foul language |
Using pain-related words | 5 | Using pain words, like “ouch”, “ow”, or “that hurts |
Repeating words | 2 | Repeating words or phrases again and again (not stuttering) |
Complaining | 3 | Expressing being unhappy, sick, uncomfortable, and/or in pain |
Shouting | 1 | Using a loud voice to express words |
Mumbling | 3 | Uttering words and/or sounds indistinctly |
Screaming | 4 | Using a loud and/or high-pitched voice to express sounds |
Groaning | 10 | Moaning, making a deep, inarticulate sound |
Crying | 10 | Whimpering, sobbing, wailing, or weeping |
Gasping | 4 | Breathing sharply, laboriously, and/or loudly |
Sighing | 3 | Taking in and letting out a long, loud breath |