Aldrete Score

Aldrete Score is a scoring system in several categories to determine how patient is recovering from anesthesia:

Aldrete Score

Category 1:

Activity *2 Able to move 4 extremities voluntarily/on command

• 1 Able to move 2 extremities voluntarily/on command
• 0 Able to move 0 extremities voluntarily/on command

* Except if surgical site restricts, may be 2 extremities.

Category 2:

Respiration 2 Able to deep breathe and cough freely

• **1 Dyspnea or limited breathing, mechanic airway
• 0 Apneic, assisted breathing (mechanical/manual)

** Any nasal, oral, endo tube, trach tube.

Category 3:

Circulation 2 BP + 20% of preanesthetic level, stable pulse

• 1 BP + 20-50% of preanesthetic level, variable pulse
• 0 BP + 50% of preanesthetic level, variable pulse

Category 4:

Consciousness 2 Fully awake, oriented x3

• 1 Arousable on calling
• 0 Not responding, or only to pain

Category 5:

Color 2 Pink or normal

• 1 Pale or dusky, jaundiced
• 0 Cyanotic

Best score is usually 10/10...

Thanks all! Now I know what it is and use it regularly. I just didn't know the name of it. Thank you!

Did you look into perioperative nursing discussions? They might have something there for you.

Thank you SmilingBlueEyes - I learned something I wouldn't have otherwise been exposed to for a while!

Have a great day!

~Leigh

The original Aldrete Score is no longer used in post aneshesia care units (PACUs). The last category which addresses color is not a good indicator of oxygenation.

The modified Aldrete score is now being used which addresses oxygenation:

Oxygen Saturation

SpO2 > 92% 2

SpO2 92% or greater

with supplemental O2 1

SpO2

supplemental O2 0

A score of 9 or return of pre-anesthesia status is usually required for a patient to be discharged from the PACU.

A current post anesthesia book will have an explanation of this scoring system.