Abbey Pain Scale for Dementia
Assesses pain in patients with dementia who cannot self-report. Six behavioural indicators scored 0–3 each. Useful in nursing home and palliative settings.
Score interpretation
→ Abbey 0–2: No pain detected. Continue regular monitoring (every 2–4 hours); address other causes of distress if behavioural changes persist.
→ Abbey 3–7: Mild pain. Non-pharmacological measures: repositioning, heat/cold, distraction. Consider regular paracetamol; reassess in 1 hour.
→ Abbey 8–13: Moderate pain. Administer analgesia (paracetamol or low-dose opioid). Reassess source of pain; document in care plan; family notification. Reassess in 30–60 minutes.
→ Abbey 14–18: Severe pain. Urgent medical review; consider opioid analgesia; investigate pain source (fracture, urinary retention, pressure sore). Consider referral to palliative care or pain team.
Interpretation bands for the Abbey Pain Scale. 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
- Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS) for Ventilated Patients · Pain Assessment
- Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia Scale (PAINAD) · 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
- Donepezil · Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (AChEI) — dementia
- Memantine · NMDA receptor antagonist — dementia
- Rivastigmine · Dual AChEI and BuChEI inhibitor — dementia
- Quetiapine (Elderly — Dementia Caution) · Atypical Antipsychotic
- Fentanyl Transdermal Patch (Elderly Chronic Pain) · Opioid Analgesic — Transdermal Patch
- Acute Stroke / TIA Assessment · NICE NG128; RCP Stroke Guidelines 2023
- Status Epilepticus (Adults) · NICE CG137; ESEM guidelines; RCP Neurology Guidelines
- Suspected Subarachnoid Haemorrhage · NICE NG228; RCEM 2023; AHA/ASA 2023
- Adult Head Injury · NICE NG232 (2023)
- Bell's Palsy / Facial Nerve Palsy · ENT UK 2017; AAN
- Vertigo Workup · ENT UK; NICE CKS
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.