Pediatric pain, tools, and assessment.

Inadequate pain assessment in children may lead to an underestimation of pain, and consequently, undertreatment in this population. This article provides an overview of pain assessment and describes specific measurement tools that can be used with infants, children, and adolescents. Nationally published practice guidelines and standards recommend pain assessment at regular intervals with age-appropriate tools. Pain assessment must be integrated into perianesthesia nursing practice, and nurses must develop competency in the assessment and treatment of pain in children.