NREMT Paramedic

Answer: C - AVPU stands for Alert, Voice, Pain, Unresponsive. and is the accepted standard for primary assessment of a patient’s level of responsiveness. An alert patient has their eyes open and they are tracking you, though they may not be fully oriented. Thus the phrase “Alert and oriented to person, place time and event.” A “verbal” patient opens their eyes to voice. P on AVPU represents that the patient moans or opens eyes to noxious stimulus, usually a sterna rub, and an “unresponsive” patient does not respond to noxious stimulus at all. For possible neurological patients, such as head injuries and stroke patients, include their Glasgow Coma Scale in your secondary assessment if you have time.