Which method is most appropriate for assessing pain in a preschool-age child with sickle cell anemia?

Using a face scale to indicate the pain level is the most appropriate method for assessing pain in a preschool-age child with sickle cell anemia because this age group often has difficulty articulating their feelings and experiences verbally. Face scales, such as the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale, utilize visual aids that allow children to select a face that best represents their level of discomfort. This method is particularly effective for young children, as they may not yet have developed the cognitive ability to understand or use numeric rating scales accurately or to describe the intensity of their pain effectively.

Options such as asking the child to use a numeric rating scale or describe the intensity of their pain may work better for older children or adults who can comprehend and express their feelings more abstractly. However, preschool-aged children are generally still developing their language skills and may not grasp numeric concepts well. Inquiring about relief from the PCA pump could provide useful information about how well the child’s pain is managed, but it does not directly assess the current level of pain experienced. Thus, using a face scale is the most suitable method for this age group in capturing the subjective experience of pain.