Awake and alert? The same?

I'm finding it very difficult to have discussions with foreign-born RNs, especially Filopino, which I happen to work with a lot.

In a discussion that really got out of control, one was positive that because a patient that is awake, he/she is alert.

I can't write that a non-verbal, awake patient who can hear my voice is also alert. I can say that she responds to verbal stimuli by looking at me. Can I state that she knows where she is, the time, etc.?

I tried to explain that the non-verbal, awake patient can hear and still be confused, disoriented. That hearing your voice sometimes only means just that - they can hear. That alert basically means aware. (I didn't even mention that what language the patient speaks adds another layer to the question.)

She was unaccepting and looking at me, an LPN as if I don't understand the difference. What I don't understand is how she can think that.

I want to communicate effectively with my co-workers but I don't know how to explain it other than the above.

I agree with the PP about the meaning of awake. If you aren't sleeping- you are awake.

Alert doesn't always mean that you have to be oriented. Awareness of time, place and person may be categorized as oriented to TPP. "Alert" to me is actively responding to stimuli. The intensity of response may vary from person to person. For example- if a demented patient responds to her name when called or turns her head to you when you are talking, I would say she is alert. People may be alert but confused.