CHEOPS — Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale
Observational pain scale for children aged 1–7 years. Assesses 6 behavioural categories. Score 4–13; higher = more pain.
Score interpretation
Minimum score = 4. No significant pain behaviours observed.
→ Continue observation. Non-pharmacological comfort measures.
Mild to moderate pain behaviours.
→ Consider oral analgesia (paracetamol, ibuprofen). Reassess in 30 minutes.
Significant pain behaviours. Score ≥9 associated with need for rescue analgesia.
→ Administer analgesia promptly. Consider IV/intranasal route. Reassess every 15–20 minutes. Senior review.
Interpretation bands for the CHEOPS. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
- McGrath PJ et al. CHEOPS: a behavioral scale for rating postoperative pain in children. Adv Pain Res Ther. 1985;9:395-402.
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
- Abbey Pain Scale for Dementia · Pain Assessment
- DN4 Questionnaire for Neuropathic Pain · Pain Assessment
- Oxycodone (Orthopaedic Post-operative Pain) · Opioid Analgesic — Strong
- Paracetamol (Paediatric) · Analgesic / Antipyretic — First-Line Pain and Fever in Children
- Morphine (Paediatric) · Opioid Analgesic — Moderate to Severe Pain in Children
- Morphine (PCA — Post-Operative Pain) · Opioid Analgesic — Patient-Controlled Analgesia
- Tramadol (Post-Operative Pain) · Weak Opioid / Serotonin-Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitor (Analgesic)
- Morphine · Opioid Analgesic — Severe Ureteric Colic / Post-Operative Pain
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.