Consciousness

Question 1

What is consciousness?

Answer 1

A state of being aware of, or response to, the environment.

Awareness of awareness

Question 2

Give 5 causes of decreased conscious level

Answer 2

Trauma - concussion, contusion, intracranial haemorrhage

Infection - meningitis, encephalitis, abscess

Tumour - meningioma, glioma

Metabolic - hypo/hyperglycaemia, renal failure, hypoxaemia, hyper/hyponatraemia

Intoxication - medication, illicit drugs, toxins, alcohol

Question 3

Outline the 3 categories on the GCS and their respective scores

Answer 3

Best eye response 1-4

Best verbal response 1-5

Best motor response 1-6

Question 4

Outline the Best Eye Response part of the GCS

Answer 4

4 - eyes open Spontaneously

3- eyes open to Speech

2 - eyes open to painful Stimulus

1 - no eye opening

Question 5

Outline Best Verbal Response part of the GCS

Answer 5

5 - fully orientated

4 - disorientated

3 - inappropriate words

2 - incomprehensible sounds

1 - none

Question 6

Outline Best Motor Response part of the GCS

Answer 6

6 - obeys commands

5 - localises to painful stimulus

4 - withdrawal from pain

3 - flexes to pain

2 - extends to pain

1 - no motor response

Question 7

What GCS scores indicate the 3 types of coma?

Answer 7

Severe - GCS <8

Moderate - GCS 9-12

Minor - GCS >13

Question 8

What is the Glasgow outcome score?

Answer 8

1. Dead
2. Vegetative state
3. Severely disabled
4. Moderately disabled
5. Good recovery