Glasgow Coma Scale

Question 1

What does the GCS assess?

Answer 1

Conscious level

Question 2

What are the 3 categories?

Answer 2

Motor
Verbal
Eyes

Question 3

What is the total score?

Answer 3

15 = normal

Question 4

What is the lowest score a patient can get?

Answer 4

3 - indicating deep unconsciousness

Question 5

What is motor scored out of?

Answer 5

6

Question 6

Describe the motor response levels

Answer 6

Obeys commands = 6
Moves to localised pain = 5
Flexes to withdraw from pain = 4
Abnormal flexion to pain = 3
Abnormal extension to pain = 2 
No response = 1

Question 7

Describe the verbal response levels

Answer 7

Orientated to time, place, person = 5
Confused = 4
Inappropriate words = 3
Incomprehensible sounds = 2
No response = 1

Question 8

Describe the eye opening response levels

Answer 8

Spontaneously = 4
To speech = 3
To pain = 2
No response = 1

Question 9

What is decerebrate posture?

Answer 9

Arms extended
Wrists rotated inwards
Legs extended with feet internally rotated

(Adduction,internal shoulder rotation, pronation of forearm)

Question 10

What score would a decerebrate posture get on the motor part of GCS?

Answer 10

2 = abnormal extension

Question 11

What is decorticate posture?

Answer 11

Abnormal flexion of limbs

Wrists and fingers bent and held at chest

Question 12

What score would a decorticate posture indicate on GCS?

Answer 12

Motor score of 3 = abnormal flexure to pain

Question 13

During motor assessment what can you do to stimulate pain response?

Answer 13

Pressure on patient’s nail bed e.g with a pencil
Supraorbital pressure
Sternal pressure