ACVPU

Question 1

A

Answer 1

A: Alert

• fully awake
• spontaneous opening of eyes
• responds to voice
• has motor function

Question 2

C

Answer 2

C: Confusion

- patient may be alert but confused, disorientates or have altered mental state.

Question 3

What is the guidance by the Royal College of Physicians if its unclear whether a patients confusion is new or their mental state?

Answer 3

Assume confusion to be new until confirmed to be otherwise

Question 4

V

Answer 4

V: Voice

• patient makes some kind of response when you talk to them
• eyes, voice or motor
• response could be as little as a grunt, moan or slight movement of a limb

Question 5

P

Answer 5

P: Painful stimulus

• moves, groans to painful stimulus
• only be tested if there has been no response to voice

Question 6

Give an example of a way to test pain?

Answer 6

Squeeze trapezius muscle.

• hold trapezius muscle between thumb and two fingers.
• squeeze 2.5-5cm and twist - VERY PAINFUL

Question 7

U

Answer 7

U: Unresponsive

- no response at all elicited to a painful stimulus.