COWS
Medical abbreviation · Patient Assessment
| Stands for | Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
COWS stands for Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale, a patient assessment abbreviation.
Eleven-item clinician scale measuring opioid withdrawal signs such as resting pulse, sweating, restlessness, pupil size, yawning, runny nose, gooseflesh and anxiety. Totals classify withdrawal from mild to severe.
Example: COWS 14 at 1100, buprenorphine induction started.
Usage notes
Published by Donald Wesson and Walter Ling in 2003. It is widely used to time buprenorphine starts, since giving it too early can precipitate withdrawal. Typical bands are 5 to 12 mild, 13 to 24 moderate, 25 to 36 moderately severe and above 36 severe.
Related abbreviations
More patient assessment abbreviations
- BS – Bowel sounds
- BSA – Body surface area
- BUE – Bilateral upper extremities
- CAM-ICU – Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit
- CIWA-Ar – Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol, revised
- CMS – Circulation, motion, sensation
- CPOT – Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool
- CRT – Capillary refill time
- CTA – Clear to auscultation
- CTAB – Clear to auscultation bilaterally
- CVAT – Costovertebral angle tenderness
- EOMI – Extraocular movements intact
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This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.