Which tool is used for assessing a patient’s responsiveness in the AVPU model?

In the AVPU model, which is a simple system used for assessing a patient's level of consciousness, the "Alert" component represents the highest level of responsiveness. When using this model, health responders evaluate a patient based on four categories: Alert, Voice (response to verbal stimuli), Pain (response to painful stimuli), and Unresponsive. The "Alert" category indicates that a patient is fully conscious, aware of their surroundings, and able to respond appropriately to questions or stimuli. This provides critical information about the patient’s neurological status and can help guide further assessment and intervention.

The other elements of the AVPU model serve to indicate varying levels of responsiveness, with "Visual" and "Pain" assessing responses to stimuli and "Unresponsive" indicating a complete lack of response, but it is "Alert" that defines a responsive and aware patient.