Table 1.
Comparison of a Common Level of Consciousness or Sedation Scale with Pediatric Scales for Emergence Agitation (EA)
| Patient Response or Symptom | Level of Consciousness Scales | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| RASSa | WATCHAb | CRAVEROc | |
| Combative: violent, immediate danger to staff | +4 | 4 | 5 |
| Aggressive: pulls to remove tubes or catheters | +3 | 3 | |
| Agitated: non-purposeful movement, may cry and inconsolable | +2 | 4 | |
| Anxious: apprehensive, consolable cry | +1 | 2 | 3 |
| Spontaneously awake and attentive | 0 | 1 | |
| Not fully alert: sustained awakening and eye contact to voice | −1 | ||
| Briefly awakens with limited eye opening/contact to voice | −2 | 2 | |
| Movement or eye opening to voice but no eye contact | −3 | ||
| No response to voice. Some response to physical stimulation | −4 | ||
| Comatose: No response to voice or physical stimulation | −5 | 1 | |
Notes: aRichmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) used for routine monitoring of level of consciousness or level of sedation. bThe WATCHA behavior scale used to determine emergence agitation (EA) based on observation (Level 3 or 4). cThe CRAVERO scale assesses for behaviors consistent with EA including Level 4 or 5.