The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) was published by Teasdale et al.[^1] in 1974 and is used to assist in the assessment of comatose patients. Patients with Aphasia must be given special consideration when using the GCS.
Points | Eye opening |
4 | Spontaneously |
3 | To verbal command |
2 | To painful stimulus |
1 | No eye opening |
Points | Verbal response |
5 | Oriented and converses |
4 | Converses but is disoriented |
3 | Inappropriate words |
2 | Incomprehensible sounds |
1 | No verbal response |
Points | Motor response |
6 | To verbal command |
5 | Localizes painful stimulus |
4 | Withdrawal from painful stimulus |
3 | Abnormal flexion |
2 | Extension |
1 | No motor response |
Interpretation
For head injury classification, the total is commonly categorized as mild, moderate, or severe.[^2] The three individual components should also be documented.[^3]
GCS points | Head injury severity |
3–8 | Severe |
9–12 | Moderate |
13–15 | Mild |