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Printed on 4/21/2026
For informational purposes only. This is not medical advice.
The Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT) is a behavioral pain assessment framework for patients unable to self-report reliably. It supports structured pain reassessment and analgesia titration in ICU and high-acuity care.
Formula: CPOT total = sum of 4 domains (each 0-2), total range 0-8.
Higher CPOT scores indicate more observed pain behavior and support reassessment of analgesia and procedural comfort strategy.
Use CPOT in critically ill or non-verbal adults when direct pain self-report is unreliable, especially in mechanically ventilated settings.
Behavioral signs can be influenced by delirium, neurologic disease, sedation depth, or agitation from non-pain causes, so CPOT should be interpreted with overall clinical context.
For related assessments, see RASS Score, CAM-ICU and SOFA Score.
Disclaimer: This tool is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with questions about your health.
Classify bedside agitation or sedation from +4 (combative) to -5 (unarousable) using the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale.
EmergencyScreen ICU patients for delirium using the CAM-ICU algorithm (acute/fluctuating change, inattention, consciousness, disorganized thinking).
EmergencyCalculate the SOFA score to assess organ dysfunction severity in critically ill patients. Scores range from 0 to 24 across six organ systems.