Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) | Ausmed Explains...

Ausmed Explains... the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)
There are many different assessment tools for neurological function, however, the most widely known and used tool is the Glasgow Coma Scale.
The GCS sees a patient assessed and scored in three areas of neurological function:
1) Eye-opening,
2) Verbal response,
3) Motor response.
The highest possible GCS score is a 15, which reflects an individual who is fully alert, aware and orientated.
The lowest possible score is 3, meaning the person is unconscious and unresponsive.
So, let’s look at measuring the person’s eye-opening.
Do they open their eyes spontaneously, like normal? (4 points.)
Do they only open their eyes when you speak to them or in response to noises? (3 points.)
Do they only open their eyes to a physical or painful stimulus? (2 points.)
Do they not open their eyes to anything? (1 point.)
Verbal response.
Is the person talking normally? Do they know who they are, where they are and when they are? (5 points.)
Do they seem confused and unable to answer these questions? (4 points.)
Do they respond with the wrong word to your questions? (3 points.)
Is the person making only incomprehensible sounds or moans? (2 points.)
Is the person not making any noise? (1 point.)
Motor response.
Are they able to follow a command? (6 points.)
Do they localise to a spot when a painful stimulus is applied? (5 points.)
Do they withdraw from the painful stimulus? (4 points.)
Does the person react with an abnormal flexion? (3 points.)
Does the person respond with an abnormal extension? (2 points.)
Do they have no response to painful stimuli? (1 point.)
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[@memories2remember509]

Good explanation!! Thank you

[@kimcogan3469]

I was assessing a patient and had trouble scoring eyes. His eyes were open and not responsive to anything. Would you score that as a 1.?

[@jetstream2037]

What do you mean by "not responsive to anything". To light maybe?

[@kimcogan3469]

@@jetstream2037 Eyes were open, fixed and dilated. Not reactive to light

[@rinomonkey1859]

I know this is 2 years late but for others looking from my understanding either way thats a 1. The eyes being dilated, equal but not reacting to light is recorded seaperately, i like to use 3PEARL as my reference for normal. Aditionally close the eyes as they dont naturally close, rather they instictively close which means they could be open due to a paralysis, overdose causing muscle relaxation or many other causes (*not a doctor, just a medic so I dont do diagnosis and dont know the scope of what could normally causes this) If the eyes stay closed then just a 1 for the eyes. If they spring back open but unresponsive still to verbal, pain, or light then make a note of it. It is likely still important info for doctors and surgeons. Remember vitals and info like GCS are just tools, we stick to them because its create quick and clear communication through the medical field. If something unusual like this comes up set aside the tool. For me on paper it would be a 1 with a * and a *note in the comments section. In person handing off to a nurse or doctor if im being quick id say "their eyes are dilated, equal, unresponive to stimuli and light but hold themself open. Verbal amd motor are both 1" they got the info they need quickly and concisely which is the GCS, the abnormality, and the vitals for the abnormality (the eyes). Also if I had the time to measure the eyes I would say along the line of eyes are 5mm instead of are dilated.

[@DavyTracy-l7i]

Gonzalez William Thompson Eric Clark Daniel

[@Gatoradeia]

Remove that disgusting background music