General
obtunded
What does obtunded mean?
A clinical description of a patient whose consciousness and responsiveness are blunted, more depressed than lethargic but not fully comatose.
"He was obtunded, barely responding to a sternal rub."
Origin
From Latin 'obtundere,' to blunt or dull.
Frequently asked questions
What does obtunded mean?
It describes a patient whose alertness and responsiveness are markedly dulled — more depressed than lethargic but not fully comatose.
How is obtunded different from lethargic?
Obtunded is a deeper level of reduced consciousness than lethargic; the patient is harder to arouse and responds minimally.
Where does the word obtunded come from?
From the Latin 'obtundere,' meaning to blunt or dull.
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