Which component of AVPU indicates responsiveness to a painful stimulus?

Which component of AVPU indicates responsiveness to a painful stimulus?

• A. Pain
• B. Alert
• C. Voice
• D. Unresponsive

Answer: (A)

AVPU is a fast way to judge how awake a person is. The part that shows responsiveness to a painful stimulus is the “Pain” category. When someone doesn’t respond to normal conversation or to being spoken to but does react when a painful stimulus is applied (for example, a sternum rub or nail bed squeeze), that reaction demonstrates a nociceptive response and places them in the Pain level. This indicates they’re not fully alert, but there is still some brain or spinal responsiveness. If they were fully awake and could follow commands, they’d be Alert; if they only respond to voice, they’d be Voice; and if there’s no response at all, they’d be Unresponsive.

AVPU is a fast way to judge how awake a person is. The part that shows responsiveness to a painful stimulus is the “Pain” category. When someone doesn’t respond to normal conversation or to being spoken to but does react when a painful stimulus is applied (for example, a sternum rub or nail bed squeeze), that reaction demonstrates a nociceptive response and places them in the Pain level. This indicates they’re not fully alert, but there is still some brain or spinal responsiveness. If they were fully awake and could follow commands, they’d be Alert; if they only respond to voice, they’d be Voice; and if there’s no response at all, they’d be Unresponsive.