COWS
Also written as: COWS — Clinical Opioid Withdrawal Scale
Clinical Opioid Withdrawal Scale, a standardized assessment tool for measuring opioid withdrawal severity.
Full Definition
COWS is an 11-item clinician-administered assessment that quantifies opioid withdrawal symptoms including resting pulse rate, sweating, restlessness, pupil size, bone/joint aches, runny nose, GI upset, tremor, yawning, anxiety, and gooseflesh skin. Each item is scored from 0-4, with total scores indicating mild (13-24), moderate (25-36), or severe (over 36) withdrawal. This tool guides clinical decisions about comfort medication dosing and readiness for opioid replacement therapy.
Usage
Usage note: Always capitalize; avoid confusion with the farm animal in clinical contexts.
In Context
- "A COWS score of 28 indicated the patient was experiencing moderate opioid withdrawal." — Clinical assessment
- "The nursing staff should administer COWS assessments every eight hours during the first 72 hours." — Medical orders