Question

The AVPU in AVPU scale stands for alert, …….., painful and unresponsive.
A. Victim
B. Voice
C. Vocal
D. Verbal

Answer 1

The AVPU scale is a simple and rapid way of detecting the altered mental status in a patient. This test can be performed in emergency rooms, general hospital wards, pre-hospital care, and intensive care unit (ICU).

Step by step answer: Poisoning, medical illness, drugs, alcohol intoxications, and traumatic brain injury may lead to neurological or physiological aberrations that will cause an abnormal level of consciousness. AVPU is a test scale that is used to grade the patient’s mental status or level of consciousness or responsiveness. The mental status of patients can be detected by using the AVPU scale.
The AVPU scale is based on the following criteria:
-The first criterion is “Alert”, in this criterion the patient is aware of the environment and the examiner on their own. The patient can spontaneously respond to the commands and also, they can open their eyes spontaneously.
-The second criterion is “Verbally responsive”, in this criterion the patient cannot open his/her eyes spontaneously. When a verbal stimulus is given to the patient then only, they can open their eyes. Also, they can respond to the stimulus (verbal) in a meaningful way.
-The third criterion is “Painfully responsive”, in this criterion the patient cannot open his/her eyes spontaneously. But when a painful stimulus is given such as squeezing fingers, then only they can open their eyes and respond. The patient may cry, moan or move in response to the painful stimulus.
-The fourth criterion is “Unresponsive”, in this criterion the patient does not respond to any kind of stimulus i.e. verbal or painful stimulus.
Hence, the correct option is Option D i.e. verbal.

Note: The AVPU scale cannot be used for long-term neurological observation of the patient. So, there are other scales that are available such as GCS (Glasgow Coma Scale) and RASS (Richmond Sedation and Agitation Scale).