Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS) for Ventilated Patients
Three-domain pain assessment for sedated, intubated adults (Payen 2001). Each domain scored 1–4. Total 3–12. Score >5 indicates unacceptable pain.
Score interpretation
BPS 3 = no pain behaviour; a score of 5 or less is the usual target.
→ Maintain analgesia plan; reassess every 2–4 h.
BPS above 5 indicates significant (unacceptable) pain in a ventilated adult.
→ Treat pain: bolus IV opioid (fentanyl 25–50 µg or morphine 2–4 mg) and review infusion rates; treat procedural causes; add multimodal adjuncts (paracetamol, dexmedetomidine, regional techniques) if pain persists; rule out delirium / under-sedation; senior review if refractory; reassess after each intervention.
Interpretation bands for the BPS. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for Pain · Pain Assessment
- Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT) · Pain Assessment
- Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia Scale (PAINAD) · Pain Assessment
- Abbey Pain Scale for Dementia · Pain Assessment
- DN4 Questionnaire for Neuropathic Pain · Pain Assessment
- CHEOPS — Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale · Pain Assessment
- Methoxyflurane · Inhaled Analgesic — Acute Pain
- Fentanyl Transdermal Patch (Elderly Chronic Pain) · Opioid Analgesic — Transdermal Patch
- Morphine Slow-Release (Elderly Chronic Pain) · Opioid Analgesic — Modified-Release Oral
- Amitriptyline (Neuropathic Pain / Migraine) · Tricyclic Antidepressant / Neuropathic Pain Agent
- Gabapentin · Alpha-2-Delta Ligand — Neuropathic Pain / Epilepsy Adjunct
- Diclofenac (Dysmenorrhoea / Post-gynaecological Procedure) · NSAID — Gynaecological Pain
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.