Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) Overview and Scoring

Eye Opening Response (E)

Evaluates the patient's eye-opening in response to stimuli.

Spontaneous (E)

Patient opens eyes without any stimulation. - 4 points

To pain (E)

Patient opens eyes only in response to painful stimuli. - 2 points

None (E)

No eye-opening in response to any stimuli. - 1 point

Best Verbal Response (V)

Evaluates the patient's verbal responses.

Oriented (V)

Patient is coherent and oriented to person, place, and time. - 5 points

Confused (V)

Patient responds but is disoriented or confused. - 4 points

Inappropriate words (V)

Patient speaks random words that do not form logical sentences. - 3 points

Incomprehensible sounds (V)

Patient makes sounds that are not recognizable as words (e.g., moaning). - 2 points

None (V)

No verbal response at all. - 1 point

Best Motor Response (M)

Evaluates the patient's motor responses.

Obeys commands (M)

Patient follows simple commands (e.g., 'raise your arm'). - 6 points

Localizes pain (M)

Patient tries to remove or push away painful stimulus. - 5 points

Withdraws (from pain) (M)

Patient pulls away from painful stimulus but does not localize it. - 4 points

Abnormal flexion (decorticate posture) (M)

Flexion of arms and wrists, internal rotation of legs in response to pain. - 3 points

Abnormal extension (decerebrate posture) (M)

Extension of arms and legs, sometimes associated with brain stem damage. - 2 points

13-15 (Total Score)

Mild impairment.

9-12 (Total Score)

Moderate impairment.

3-8 (Total Score)

Severe impairment or coma.

Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)

A clinical tool used to assess a patient's level of consciousness after a traumatic brain injury or other acute medical conditions.

To voice (E)

Patient opens eyes in response to verbal stimulus. - 3 points

None (M)

No motor response to stimuli. - 1 point

Total Score

Scores range from 3 to 15, with higher scores indicating better neurological function.

15 (Total Score)

Fully alert and responsive (normal).