On the AVPU scale, which level indicates responsiveness to verbal stimuli?

• A. Responds to Verbal stimuli
• B. Alert
• C. Responds to Painful stimuli
• D. Unresponsive

Answer: (A)

The AVPU scale assesses consciousness by how a patient responds to stimuli. The level that indicates responsiveness to verbal stimuli is the Verbal response level: the patient will wake enough to respond when you speak to them or call their name, though they may not be fully awake or oriented. They might answer questions or acknowledge you, but they’re not acting as if they’re completely alert. This differs from being Alert (fully awake and oriented), from Responds to Pain (no verbal response but grimace or movement with a painful stimulus), and from Unresponsive (no response to voice or pain).