Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for Pain
11-point numeric scale (0–10) for pain intensity. Validated across clinical settings. Single-item self-report tool.
Score interpretation
Patient reports no pain.
→ No analgesic intervention required. Continue monitoring.
Mild pain. Usually manageable without opioids.
→ Non-pharmacological measures and/or regular paracetamol or NSAIDs (if not contraindicated).
Moderate pain — significantly affects function.
→ Paracetamol + NSAID (WHO Step 1–2). Consider weak opioid (codeine/tramadol). Reassess within 30 minutes.
Severe pain — urgent analgesic management required.
→ Titrated IV/IM morphine or opioid. Consider procedural analgesia for specific cause. Reassess every 15–30 minutes. Identify and treat cause.
Interpretation bands for the NRS Pain. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
- Hawker GA et al. Measures of adult pain. Arthritis Care Res. 2011;63(S11):S240-S252.
- Jensen MP et al. Interpretation of visual analog scale ratings and change scores: a reanalysis of two clinical trials of postoperative pain. J Pain. 2003;4(7):407-414.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT) · Pain Assessment
- Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS) for Ventilated Patients · 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
- Morphine PCA (Burns Pain) · Opioid Analgesic (Patient-Controlled Analgesia)
- Morphine (PCA — Post-Operative Pain) · Opioid Analgesic — Patient-Controlled Analgesia
- 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
- Sepsis Screening and Sepsis Six · UK Sepsis Trust; NICE NG51; Surviving Sepsis Campaign 2021
- Unintentional Weight Loss Workup · NICE NG12; BSG
- Chronic Fatigue Workup · NICE NG206; BMJ Best Practice
- Lymphadenopathy Workup · NICE NG12; BMJ Best Practice
- Pre-op Medical Clearance · NICE NG45; ESC 2022
- Secondary Hypertension Workup · NICE NG136; ESH 2023
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.