TABLE 4.

Riker sedation-agitation scale.

Score	Term	Description
7	Dangerous agitation	Pulling at endotracheal tube, trying to remove catheters, climbing over the bed rail, striking at staff, thrashing side to side
6	Very agitated	Does not calm, despite frequent verbal reminding of limits; requires physical restraints, biting endotracheal tube
5	Agitated	Anxious or mildly agitated, attempting to sit up, calms down to verbal instructions
4	Calm and cooperative	Calm awakens easily, follows commands
3	Sedated	Difficult to arouse; awakens to verbal stimuli or gentle shaking, but drifts off again; follows simple commands
2	Very sedated	Arouses to physical stimuli, but does not communicate or follow commands, may move spontaneously
1	Unable to rouse	Minimal or no response to noxious stimuli, does not communicate or follow commands