My reviewer: Glasgow Coma Scale

Glasgow Coma Scale

Overview:
The Glasgow coma scale is used to assess patients in coma. The initial score correlates with the severity of brain injury and prognosis.
Glasgow coma scale =
= (score for eye opening) + (score for best verbal response) + (score for best motor response)

Eye Opening Score
spontaneously 4
to verbal stimuli 3
to pain 2
never 1


Best Verbal Response Score
oriented and converses 5
disoriented and converses 4
inappropriate words 3
incomprehensible sounds 2
no response 1


Best Motor Response Score
obeys commands 6
localises pain 5
flexion withdrawal 4
abnormal flexion (decorticate rigidity) 3
extension (decerebrate rigidity) 2
no response 1


Interpretation:
• maximum score is 15 which has the best prognosis
• minimum score is 3 which has the worst prognosis
• scores of 8 or above have a good chance for recovery

• scores of 3-5 are potentially fatal, especially if accompanied by fixed pupils or absent oculovestibular responses

• young children may be nonverbal, requiring a modification of the coma scale for evaluation.