Question

The AVPU scale is a scale used to evaluate cerebral cortex function and is used to rate a child's level of consciousness. What does the acronym AVPU stand for?

1. Alert, Voice, Painful, Unresponsive
2. Active, Verbal, Painful, Unresponsive
3. Alert, Voice, Pupils, Unresponsive
4. Alive, Voice, Pulses, Understands

Answer 1

The acronym AVPU stands for Alert, Voice, Pain, Unresponsive. It is a scale used to assess a patient's level of consciousness. This is distinct from the Apgar score, which is used to assess the health of newborns.

Step-by-step explanation:

The acronym AVPU stands for Alert, Voice, Pain, Unresponsive. This scale is used by healthcare providers to measure a child's (or any patient's) level of consciousness. The AVPU scale is a rapid assessment tool where you check if the patient is:

• Alert: Can the patient open their eyes, look at you, and respond fully?
• Voice: Does the patient respond to voice? Do they answer questions or react when spoken to?
• Pain: Does the patient respond to pain? This could be any reaction to a stimulant that would normally cause discomfort.
• Unresponsive: Is the patient unresponsive to any of the above stimuli?

Separately, the Apgar score is an assessment method used on newborns which stands for Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration. While the AVPU scale is a quick consciousness check mostly used in emergency situations, the Apgar score is a broader assessment of a newborn's immediate health post-birth, including factors like heart rate and breathing.