Table 1

The Sedation–Agitation Scale

Score
Description
Example

7
Dangerous agitation
Pulling at endotracheal tube, trying to remove catheters, climbing over bedrails, thrashing from side to side, striking at staff
6
Very agitated
Patient does not calm down in response to verbal instructions or reassurance, requires physical restraint, biting endotracheal tube
5
Agitated
Anxious or agitated but calms down in response to verbal instructions or reassurance
4
Calm, cooperative
Calm, easily rousable, follows commands
3
Sedated
Difficult to rouse, awakens to verbal stimuli or gentle shaking but drifts off again, will follow simple commands
2
Very sedated
Can be roused by physical stimuli but does not communicate or follow commands, may move spontaneously
1
Not rousable
May move or grimace minimally to stimuli but does not communicate or follow commands

Muellejans et al. Critical Care 2004 8:R1   doi:10.1186/cc2398