Numeric Rating Scale

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
WARREN GRANT MAGNUSON CLINICAL CENTER
PAIN INTENSITY INSTRUMENTS

0 – 10 Numeric Rating Scale
0 None 

Indications: Adults and children (> 9 years old) in all patient care settings who are able to use
numbers to rate the intensity of their pain.

Instructions:
1. The patient is asked any one of the following questions:
What number would you give your pain right now?
What number on a 0 to 10 scale would you give your pain when it is the worst that it gets
and when it is the best that it gets?
At what number is the pain at an acceptable level for you?
2. When the explanation suggested in #1 above is not sufficient for the patient, it is sometimes
helpful to further explain or conceptualize the Numeric Rating Scale in the following manner:
0 = No Pain
1-3 = Mild Pain (nagging, annoying, interfering little with ADLs)
4–6 = Moderate Pain (interferes significantly with ADLs)
7-10 = Severe Pain (disabling; unable to perform ADLs)
3. The interdisciplinary team in collaboration with the patient/family (if appropriate), can
determine appropriate interventions in response to Numeric Pain Ratings.
Reference
McCaffery, M., & Beebe, A. (1993). Pain: Clinical Manual for Nursing Practice. Baltimore: V.V.
Mosby Company.