The AVPU scale is used to determine a patient's responsiveness. Here is a breakdown of each component:
Alert (A): The patient is fully awake and responsive. They can respond to questions and follow commands. Verbal (V): The patient responds to verbal stimuli but may not be fully awake. Responses may be inappropriate or delayed. Pain (P): The patient only responds to painful stimuli. This can include sternal rubs or pinching. Unresponsive (U): The patient does not respond to any stimuli, whether it be verbal or painful.