Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT)
Behavioural pain assessment for non-verbal, ventilated adults (Gélinas 2006). Four behavioural domains, each 0–2. Total 0–8.
Score interpretation
CPOT 0–2: below the validated cut-off for pain.
→ Continue current analgesia plan. Reassess at next routine interval (every 2–4 h) and after any procedure.
CPOT above 2 indicates pain (Gélinas 2009 cut-off).
→ Bolus analgesia (e.g. fentanyl 25–50 µg IV) and review the background opioid infusion; treat reversible causes (position, full bladder, suctioning need); add multimodal adjuncts (paracetamol, sub-anaesthetic ketamine, regional block) if pain persists; review sedation; senior ICU review if refractory.
Interpretation bands for the CPOT. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for Pain · Pain Assessment
- Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS) for Ventilated Patients · Pain Assessment
- Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia Scale (PAINAD) · Pain Assessment
- Abbey Pain Scale for Dementia · Pain Assessment
- DN4 Questionnaire for Neuropathic Pain · Pain Assessment
- CHEOPS — Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale · Pain Assessment
- Methoxyflurane · Inhaled Analgesic — Acute Pain
- Fentanyl Transdermal Patch (Elderly Chronic Pain) · Opioid Analgesic — Transdermal Patch
- Morphine Slow-Release (Elderly Chronic Pain) · Opioid Analgesic — Modified-Release Oral
- Amitriptyline (Neuropathic Pain / Migraine) · Tricyclic Antidepressant / Neuropathic Pain Agent
- Gabapentin · Alpha-2-Delta Ligand — Neuropathic Pain / Epilepsy Adjunct
- Diclofenac (Dysmenorrhoea / Post-gynaecological Procedure) · NSAID — Gynaecological Pain
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.