It provides a general first impression as to whether a person iscognitively impairedand able to make decisions for themselves.

It is commonly used whendementiais suspected or known.

A person’s alertness and orientation are assessed based on a series of questions.

Orientation Levels in Dementia

Verywell / Laura Porter

The assessment is commonly performed using an AVPU scale.

The questions check for awareness of four domains: person, place, time, and event.

Delirium is often triggered by something temporary that is reversible.

Alertness can be described on an AVPE scale of 1 to 5.

Orientation can be described on an AO scale of 1 to 5.

2022 Apr 21;30(10):10671078. doi:10.1016/j.jagp.2022.04.003

Open Resources for Nursing.Chapter 6 Neurological assessment.

In:Nursing Skills.Eau Claire (WI): Chippewa Valley Technical College; 2021.

Alzheimer’s Society.Changes in behaviour in the later stages of dementia.

American Psychological Association.Assesment of older adults with diminished capacities.

An evaluation study using simulation and a questionnaire.Intensive Crit Care Nurs.

15th Judicial Circuit of Florida.AO divisional instructions.

University of North Carolina School of Government.Mental status exams.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is dementia?

National Institute on Aging.What is dementia?

Symptoms, types, and diagnosis.