This document discusses several common tools used to assess pain, including unidimensional scales that measure only pain intensity such as the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Verbal Descriptor Scale (VDS), and Numeric Pain Intensity Scale (NPI). It notes that while standard scales work for acute pain, chronic pain patients may be better assessed by changes in functionality rather than decreases in reported pain intensity. Visual tools like a thermometer scale combining numbers and colors can also help patients rate their pain.