AVPU

Medical abbreviation · Patient Assessment

AVPU
Stands forAlert, voice, pain, unresponsive
CategoriesMedical

AVPU stands for Alert, voice, pain, unresponsive, a patient assessment abbreviation.

Quick four-level consciousness check recording whether the patient is alert, responds only to voice, responds only to pain or is unresponsive. It is used in triage, first aid and early warning scores.

Example: AVPU: V, opens eyes to name, confused; GCS assessment follows.

Usage notes

Faster but less detailed than the Glasgow Coma Scale; a response only to pain roughly corresponds to a GCS of about 8. The UK NEWS2 score uses ACVPU, adding C for new confusion. It is taught in first aid courses because it needs no scoring.

More patient assessment abbreviations

  • AP – Apical pulse
  • Ax – Axillary
  • BLE – Bilateral lower extremities
  • BMI – Body mass index
  • BP – Blood pressure
  • BPS – Behavioral Pain Scale
  • BS – Bowel sounds
  • BSA – Body surface area
  • BUE – Bilateral upper extremities
  • CAM-ICU – Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit
  • CIWA-Ar – Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol, revised
  • CMS – Circulation, motion, sensation

See all 65 patient assessment abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.