What Is the Glasgow Coma Scale?
![Doctors use the Glasgow Coma Scale to assess a patient's level of consciousness.](https://images.emedicinehealth.com/images/article/main_image/gcs-score.jpg?output-quality=75)
The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is a calculated scale that determines a patient's level of consciousness. Medical professionals use it to evaluate patients with
- traumatic brain injury,
- altered mental status,
The scale measures three categories:
- Eye opening (E)
- Motor response (M)
- Verbal response (V)
The GCS score is the sum of the score in each of the three categories, with a maximum score of 15 (normal) and a minimum score of 3 (deep unconsciousness), as follows:
GCS score = E + M + V
Eye-opening scores
- 4: Spontaneously
- 3: To verbal command
- 2: To pain
- 1: No response
Best motor response scores
- 6: Obeys command
- 5: Localizes pain
- 4: Flexion withdrawal
- 3: Flexion abnormal (decorticate)
- 2: Extension (decerebrate)
- 1: No response
Best verbal response scores
- 5: Oriented and converses
- 4: Disoriented and converses
- 3: Inappropriate words; cries
- 2: Incomprehensible sounds
- 1: No response
What Is a Normal GCS Score?
A normal GCS score is equal to 15, which indicates a person is fully conscious.
How Do You Interpret a GCS Score?
The GCS helps to define the severity of traumatic brain injury. In general...
- Score 13-15: Mild head injury
- Score 9-12: Moderate head injury
- Score of 8 or less: Severe head injury
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References
Christensen, Buck. "Glasgow Coma Scale -- Adult." Dec. 4, 2018. Medscape.com. <http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2172603-overview>.