Journal of the Society of Pediatric Nurses : JSPN
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Many infant pain assessment tools use infant behaviors indicative of increased arousal. These tools were developed and tested using clinical situations involving acute immediate pain responses. Are these behaviors valid, clinical indicators of acute established pain (non-procedurally caused) pain? Can these tools be used to assess acute established infant pain? This article explores research findings to answer these questions. ⋯ Always use acute immediate pain behavioral responses (behaviors indicative of increased arousal) in conjunction with clinical data concerning "likelihood of pain" and consolability.