10.2 Assessment of Consciousness

Question 1

If one hemisphere of the cortex is damage can a person lose consciousness?

Answer 1

Cortex damage does not cause consciousness as long as one hemisphere is still intact

Question 2

What can cause consciousness disturbance?

Answer 2

Metabolic - anorexia, hypoglycaemia, uraemia
Lesions - on brainstem/pressure on brainstem
Trauma

Question 3

What are some of the first signs that show someone’s consciousness is becoming impaired?

Answer 3

Change in behaviour
Change in mood
Unsteady on their feet
Difficulty finding words
Slurred speech

Question 4

What are some scoring systems to assess consciousness?

Answer 4

AVPU

GCS

Question 5

What are the categories in AVPU?

Answer 5

Alert
responds to Verbal stimulus
responds to Painful stimulus
Unresponsive

Question 6

What are the GCS categories?

Answer 6

Eye opening
Verbal response
Motor response

Question 7

How is eye opening scored in GCS?

Answer 7

4 Spontaneous
3 To speech
2 To pain
1 None

Question 8

How is verbal response scored in GCS?

Answer 8

5 Orientated
4 Confused
3 Innapropriate words
2 Incomprehensible
1 None

Question 9

How is motor response score in GCS?

Answer 9

6 Obeys commands
5 Localise pain
4 Withdrawal to pain
3 Flexion to pain
2 Extension to pain
1 None