A&O X(insert number here)

bstone

Forum Deputy Chief
Messages
2,066
Reaction score
1
Points
0
When I was in Basic school in Chicago we had A&O x1, 2 and 3. 3 was oriented to person, place and time; 2 was oriented to person and place; 1 as only to person.

I have heard some folks talk about A&O x4. What does it mean?
 
X4 is "oriented to event" meaning do they know why we were called there and what happened.

Helps with short term retrograde amnesia or possible loss of conciousness.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Oriented to person, place, time, and event. In other words, they can tell you what happened to them.
 
Very interesting. I can see it's use. I wonder why it wasn't in my old Basic textbook, or my Intermediate textbook.
 
I've been taught x4 since I was in basic. It seems to be a prehospital thing as well, as I've had nurses ask me when I was teching what the 4th A&O was
 
Six of one, half a dozen of the other. They basically mean the same thing - someone AOx3 or 4 is conscious and reasonably "with it."
 
To an extent yes, but you should really try for the x4 as it helps that much more with possible neurolguc injuries. I've seen people not know the day, date, time, or month and still be totally oriented and neurogically intact.

Now, if they claim it's 1999....
 
When I was in Basic school in Chicago we had A&O x1, 2 and 3. 3 was oriented to person, place and time; 2 was oriented to person and place; 1 as only to person.

I have heard some folks talk about A&O x4. What does it mean?

For us, CAOx4= conscious, alert, and oriented to person, place, time, and event.
 
We were taught x4 in school, but SD county only recognizes x3. As to why, I don't quite understand.
 
I've used the terminology myself, but in hindsight I don't think it's that helpful.

What does A+Ox1/2/3 mean when you say it? With any luck the person you say it to will still ask you to define.

It's like saying GCS12 - you still have to break it down into V, M & E scores.
 
Yea, I was taught A&Ox4. I think it is just more detailed and makes for a slightly better assessment.
 
For us, CAOx4= conscious, alert, and oriented to person, place, time, and event.

The "C" seems a little unnecessary. If you've determined that they are alert and oriented, it stands to reason that they're conscious, doesn't it? ;)
 
We were taught x4 in school, but SD county only recognizes x3. As to why, I don't quite understand.

I just got done with EMT-B in SD. I was told to use AOX4 because SD is supposedly making the switch from 3 to 4.
 
<---------- Whats in a name. :)

I was taught if it wasnt already obvious:

Conscious and Alert, oriented to person, place and time.
 
Do any of you do the method of saying three things and quizzing them on it later? One of my instructors will say three things... "penny", "balloon" and "firetruck" and then five minutes later ask the same thing. Is this in addition to CAOx4 or instead of?
 
.... wait... you mean its not ??!?!?!?!??:unsure:

You must have been at one awesome party if you just now notice a few years have passed ;)
 
Is the GCS not as popular in America?

I seems like its rarely mentioned in scenarios presented here.
 
Is the GCS not as popular in America?

I seems like its rarely mentioned in scenarios presented here.

I've always been taught you document a GCS for everyone as well. But GCS is universal
 
Back
Top