ASSESSING THE NEUROLOGIC STATUS USING THE GLASGOW COMA SCALE (GCS) Flashcards
is the patient’s wakefulness and ability to respond to the environment
Consciousness
Normal Consciousness
Awake
Alert, responds immediately and fully to commands
Awake
Present when the patient is not oriented, does not follow commands, or needs persistent stimuli to achieve a state of alertness.
Altered Level of Consciousness (ALOC)
Etiology of Altered Level of Consciousness
-Cerebral Ischemia
- Hypoglycemia
- Infections
- Seizures (Tonic-Clonic)
- Metabolic Abnormalities
-Injury to the CNS (Traumatic)
-Strangulation
Inability to think rapidly and clearly
Confusion
Inability to correctly identify time, place, and person
Disorientation
Drowsy but easily aroused with minimal stimuli (voice), and then responds, but may not be oriented to time, place, or person
Lethargy
arousable by non-painful stimuli (shaking), and will then respond to questions or commands. Remains aroused as long as stimulated, otherwise will fall asleep
Obtundation
Condition of deep sleep and can only be aroused by vigorous and repeated painful stimulus
Stupor
No motor response to any internal or external stimuli; reflexes may be present, abnormal posturing to pain may be present
Comatose
Provides an objective description of the extent ALOC in acute medical and trauma patients
Glasgow Coma Scale
Stimuli for Eye Opening
- Verbal
- Pain (CENTRAL)
- Pain (PERIPHERAL)
Call out the patient’s name
Verbal
Apply pressure on supraorbital nerve
Pain (Central)
