When assessing a child's mental status, what does the letter 'P' in AVPU stand for?

In the AVPU scale used to assess a child's mental status, the letter 'P' stands for 'Pain.' This particular assessment tool is utilized to evaluate a patient's responsiveness and level of consciousness in emergency situations. The AVPU acronym stands for Alert, Voice, Pain, and Unresponsive.

When a child is assessed as responding to 'Pain,' it indicates that the child does not respond to verbal stimuli but does react to physical stimuli, such as a gentle shake or painful stimulus. This response is a critical indicator of the child's neurological function and helps in determining the severity of their condition. Recognizing the levels of responsiveness, from being fully alert to unresponsive, allows healthcare providers to make informed decisions regarding the necessary interventions and urgency of care needed.