Visual analog scale
Visual Analog Scale
The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) is a type of pain scale used by healthcare professionals to measure the intensity of pain that a patient is experiencing. It is a simple and effective method of assessing pain, which can be used in a variety of healthcare settings.
Pronunciation
- Visual: /ˈvɪʒ.uː.əl/
- Analog: /ˈæn.ə.lɒɡ/
- Scale: /skeɪl/
Etymology
The term "Visual Analog Scale" is derived from the words "visual" (pertaining to sight), "analog" (a system or device that represents changing values as continuously variable physical quantities), and "scale" (a set of numbers, amounts, etc., used to measure or compare the level of something).
Description
The Visual Analog Scale is a straight line with the endpoints defining extreme limits such as 'no pain at all' and 'pain as bad as it could be'. The patient marks on the line the point that they feel represents their perception of their current state.
Related Terms
- Pain scale: A tool used by healthcare professionals to measure a patient's pain intensity.
- Pain assessment: The process of identifying and measuring pain in a patient.
- Pain management: The medical specialty focused on reducing pain and improving quality of life through an integrative approach to care.
Usage
The Visual Analog Scale is used in many areas of healthcare including physiotherapy, oncology, and palliative care. It is particularly useful in situations where verbal communication may be difficult or not possible.
Advantages and Disadvantages
The Visual Analog Scale is easy to use and understand, making it a popular choice in many healthcare settings. However, it may not be suitable for all patients, particularly those with cognitive impairments or difficulty understanding the concept of the scale.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Visual analog scale
- Wikipedia's article - Visual analog scale
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski