A nurse is assessing a 12-month-old infant who is immediately postoperative following hernia repair surgery. Which of the following pain measurement tools should the nurse use to determine if the infant is experiencing pain?

A. "I should place the shoulder harness above the level of my baby's shoulders."

This statement is incorrect. Placing the shoulder harness above the baby's shoulders could lead to improper restraint in the event of a crash. The harness should be positioned at or slightly below the level of the baby's shoulders to provide effective protection.

B. "I should place the car seat rear-facing until my baby is 2 years old."

This statement is correct. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants and toddlers ride in a rear-facing car seat until they are at least 2 years old or until they reach the maximum height and weight limit specified by the car seat manufacturer. This position provides optimal protection for the baby's head, neck, and spine in the event of a crash.

C. "I will place the retainer clip over my baby's abdomen."

This statement is incorrect. The retainer clip, also known as the chest clip, should be positioned at armpit level to secure the harness straps. Placing it over the baby's abdomen could result in serious injuries in the event of a crash.

D. "I should position my baby at a 30-degree angle in the car seat."

This statement is incorrect. Infants should be positioned at a 45-degree angle in their car seats. This angle helps to keep the baby's airway open and prevents the head from flopping forward, which could restrict breathing. Placing the baby at a 30-degree angle may not provide adequate support and protection.

A. FACES: The FACES pain scale is a visual analog scale commonly used with older children who can point to or select a facial expression that best represents their pain level. It may not be suitable for infants who may not have the cognitive or motor skills to use the scale effectively.

B. COMFORT: The COMFORT scale assesses pain in infants and young children based on behaviors such as crying, facial expressions, and body movements. It evaluates parameters such as alertness, calmness, respiratory response, physical movement, and muscle tone. The COMFORT scale is suitable for assessing pain in infants and young children, including those who are postoperative.

C. CRIES: The CRIES scale is a neonatal pain assessment tool that evaluates crying, oxygen saturation, vital signs, expression, and sleeplessness. While it is designed for newborns and infants up to 6 months of age, it may not be as appropriate for a 12-month-old infant who is postoperative and beyond the neonatal period.

D. FLACC: The FLACC scale assesses pain in infants and young children based on five behavioral categories: facial expression, leg movement, activity level, cry, and consolability. It is commonly used in pediatric settings and is suitable for assessing pain in infants who are postoperative.