Skip to main content

Table 1 Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale

From: Randomized trial comparing daily interruption of sedation and nursing-implemented sedation algorithm in medical intensive care unit patients

Score

Term

Description

+4

Combative

Overtly combative or violent and an immediate danger to staff

+3

Very agitated

Pulls on or removes tube(s) or catheter(s) or has aggressive behavior toward staff

+2

Agitated

Frequent nonpurposeful movement or patient ventilator dyssynchrony

+1

Restless

Anxious or apprehensive but movements not aggressive or vigorous

0

Alert and calm

 

-1

Drowsy

Not fully alert but has sustained (> 10 seconds) awakenings, with eye contact, to voice

-2

Light sedation

Briefly (< 10 seconds) awakens with eye contact to voice

-3

Moderate sedation

Any movement (but no eye contact) to voice

-4

Deep sedation

No response to voice, but any movement to physical stimuli

-5

Unarousable

No response to voice or physical stimulation