Glasgow Coma Scale

Question 1

What is GCS based on?

Answer 1

Eye opening

Motor and vertebral response to external stimuli

Question 2

Maximum score?

Answer 2

15

Question 3

Minimum score?

Answer 3

3- High mortality rate

Question 4

Criteria for GCS?

Answer 4

Question 5

When does the motor score drop?

Answer 5

Significant neurological issue

Question 6

Decorticate posturing suggests?

Answer 6

Severe brain damage to areas including cerebrum, internal capsule and thalamus

Midbrain generally spared

Question 7

Decorticate posturing =?

Answer 7

Patient has abnormal flexion of arms, hands clenched into fists and legs extended and feet turned inwards

Question 8

What is decerebrate posturing?

Answer 8

MORE SEVERE

-Head arched back and both arms and legs exteneded

Question 9

Decerebrate posturing indicates?

Answer 9

Brainstem damage

-Specifically at level below red nucleus in midbrain

Question 10

Tracts in charge for decorticate posturing?

Answer 10

Rubrospinal and reticulospinal take over from corticospinal

Question 11

Tracts in charge in decerebrate?

Answer 11

Reticulospinal tract takes over from damaged corticospinal and rubrospinal tract

Question 12

Picture of the dodgy D postures?

Answer 12