In the AVPU scale, what does the letter A stand for?

In the AVPU scale, the letter A stands for "Alert." This scale is a quick assessment tool used to evaluate a patient's level of consciousness. The intent is to determine how responsive an individual is to stimuli. When a patient is described as alert, they are awake and aware of their surroundings, can respond appropriately to questions, and show awareness of people and events happening around them.

This is a critical aspect when assessing a patient's neurological status. In a clinical setting, determining whether a patient is alert can guide further evaluation and interventions that may be necessary. The other terms in the AVPU scale include "Verbal" and "Pain" for varying levels of responsiveness, but being "Alert" indicates a patient is at their highest level of consciousness and functioning.