RASS

Medical abbreviation · Patient Assessment

RASS stands for Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale, a patient assessment abbreviation.

Ten-point scale from +4 (combative) to -5 (unarousable), with 0 meaning alert and calm, used in intensive care to target sedation depth and screen for delirium.

Example: RASS -3, eyes open to voice but no eye contact; propofol decreased.

Usage notes

Developed at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond and published in 2002. Light sedation, typically RASS 0 to -2, is recommended for most ventilated adults. Patients must score -3 or higher before the CAM-ICU delirium assessment can be completed.

Related abbreviations

More patient assessment abbreviations

• PAINAD – Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia
• PEWS – Pediatric Early Warning Score
• POSS – Pasero Opioid-Induced Sedation Scale
• PP – Pulse pressure
• PWD – Pink, warm and dry
• RA – Room air
• RLE – Right lower extremity
• RR – Respiratory rate
• RUE – Right upper extremity
• SpO2 – Peripheral oxygen saturation
• T – Temperature
• TA – Temporal artery temperature

See all 65 patient assessment abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.