Glasgow Coma Scale (3)
In order to achieve these aims, it is important that the staff who utilise the GCS are suitably trained, competent and confident in its use. This will ensure the assessment is used accurately, consistently and reliably. This RLO aims to support the accurate and efficient assessment of a patient's LOC using the GCS.
The GCS has 3 key areas as shown on the chart here; the measurement of eye opening, verbal response and motor response.
This information is supplemented by pupillary response, vital signs and limb power.
We will be focusing on the three core areas of the GCS:
- Eyes Opening
(scored from 1 - 4) - Verbal Response
(scored from 1 - 5) - Motor Response
(scored from 1 - 6)
This means that everyone will have a coma score between 3 and 15.
| Behaviour | Response | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Eye Opening | Spontaneous | 4 |
| To sound | 3 | |
| To pressure | 2 | |
| None | 1 | |
| Verbal Response | Orientated | 5 |
| Confused | 4 | |
| Words | 3 | |
| Sounds | 2 | |
| None | 1 | |
| Motor Response | Obeys commands | 6 |
| Localise to pain | 5 | |
| Normal flexion | 4 | |
| Abnormal flexion | 3 | |
| Extension | 2 | |
| None | 1 |
| Behaviour | Minimum Score | Maximum Score |
|---|---|---|
| Eye Opening | 1 | 4 |
| Verbal Response | 1 | 5 |
| Motor Response | 1 | 6 |
| Total | 3 | 15 |