Adult CCRN Practice Exam 2026 – Comprehensive Test Preparation Guide

The scale used to assess agitation is designed to quantify how alert or restless a patient is, covering both agitation and sedation in one quick bedside assessment. This is the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale. It ranges from negative values to indicate sedation, through zero for an alert and calm state, to positive values that reflect increasing agitation. This dual focus on both agitation and sedation lets clinicians titrate sedatives or analgesics appropriately, monitor response over time, and prevent harm from oversedation or agitation.

For context, the Beck Depression Inventory measures depressive symptoms, the Glasgow Coma Scale gauges level of consciousness and neurologic function, and the Mini-Mental State Exam screens cognitive impairment. The RASS is the one specifically designed for agitation and sedation in ICU patients.