Glasgow Coma Scale

Question 1

What are the three components of GCS and how many points are they worth?

Answer 1

• Eyes - 4 points
• Voice - 5 points
• Motor - 6 points

Question 2

Break down the eye component

Answer 2

1. No response to pain
2. Eyes open only to pain
3. Eyes open to voice command/shouting
4. Eyes open spontaneously

Question 3

Break down the voice component

Answer 3

1. No verbal response
2. Imcomprehensible speech/sounds
3. Words discernible but inappropriate response
4. Confused, able to asnwer questions
5. Oritented in self, space and time

Question 4

Break down the motor compartment

Answer 4

1. No motor response
2. Extends limbs in response to pain (decerebrate)
3. Flexes limbs in response to pain (decorticate)
4. Withdraws from pain (pressing on nail)
5. Localises the pain (moves hand towards painful stimulus)
6. Obeys commands

Question 5

Interpret GCS score thresholds

Answer 5

• < 8 severe brain injury
• 9-13 moderate brain injury
• 14 may not indicate brain injury
• 15 is the BEST RESPONSE