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📝 AVPU documentation and reporting examples¶

🔹 1. Fully alert patient¶

Neuro:
  – AVPU: Alert
  – Patient awake, follows commands, GCS not required at this time.

🔹 2. Responds only to verbal cues¶

Neuro:
  – AVPU: Verbal
  – Patient opens eyes and groans to voice. No spontaneous speech or movement. GCS pending.

🔹 3. Responds to pain only¶

Neuro:
  – AVPU: Pain
  – Localizes pain to trapezius pinch, no response to voice. Requires urgent neuro assessment.

🔹 4. Unresponsive¶

Neuro:
  – AVPU: Unresponsive
  – No response to voice or pain. Pupils equal, reactive. Intubated for airway protection.

🔹 5. Trend over time¶

AVPU Assessments:
  – 2100H: Verbal – opened eyes to name
  – 2300H: Pain – grimaced to sternal rub
  – 0100H: Unresponsive – no eye opening, no movement to pain

🗣️ Verbal Reporting Examples¶

🔹 1. To a senior doctor:¶

“This is a 72-year-old male with pneumonia. Initially alert, but over the last hour he’s deteriorated to responding only to verbal commands — AVPU is Verbal. Vitals are stable, oxygen sats 95% on 2L. I’m checking blood gases and requesting a medical review.”

🔹 2. To a nurse:¶

“Let’s check the patient every 15 minutes — they’re now only responding to pain. AVPU is Pain. If there’s any further drop or no response, please call me immediately.”

🔹 3. Emergency handover:¶

“We have a 55-year-old post-seizure. Now unresponsive — AVPU is Unresponsive. Airway is compromised; we’re bagging and preparing for RSI. GCS is 3.”

🔹 4. Routine handover between shifts:¶

“Patient in Bed 7: AVPU has been stable at Alert throughout the shift. No signs of neurological decline.”