Levels of consciousness & grading scale

An altered level of conscious indicates?

something wrong with cerebral function or brain

The glascow coma scale measures a persons’s level of consciousness ? What are the 3 categories of GCS? 

eye opening, verbal response, and motor response

A nurse enters the room, and the patient is already awake, looking around at the environment.

Question: Which GCS category is this, and how many points does it indicate?

spontanous eye movement - 4 

You call the patient’s name, and they slowly open their eyes, but only after verbal prompting.

Question: Which GCS category is this, and how many points does it indicate?

eye open to verbal command - 3

The patient does not open their eyes when called, but opens them only when you apply nail bed pressure.

Question: Which GCS category is this, and how many points does it indicate?

eye open to pain - 2 

Despite painful stimuli and verbal cues, the patient does not open their eyes.

Question: Which GCS category is this, and how many points does it indicate?

no eye opening - 1 

The patient can answer clearly: “My name is John, I’m at the hospital, and it’s 2025.”

Question: Which GCS category is this, and how many points does it indicate?

(oriented) -  5 

The patient is speaking in full sentences but is unsure of the date or where they are.

Question: Which GCS category is this, and how many points does it indicate?

confused convo, can still answer Q- 4

The patient says random words like “blue… dog… I—no,” when spoken to.

Question: Which GCS category is this, and how many points does it indicate?

inapropiate response- 3 

The patient groans and makes noises but says no actual words.

Question: Which GCS category is this, and how many points does it indicate?

incomprehensible speech - 2 

The patient makes no sounds, even when you speak loudly or apply pain.

Question: Which GCS category is this, and how many points does it indicate?

no verbal response- 1

When asked, the patient squeezes your hand and wiggles their toes on command.

Question: Which GCS category is this, and how many points does it indicate?

obey commands to move - 6 

When you apply painful pressure, the patient reaches up to push your hand away.

Question: Which GCS category is this, and how many points does it indicate?

purposeful movement with pain 5

When you apply painful stimulus, the patient pulls their arm away but doesn’t reach for you.

Question: Which GCS category is this, and how many points does it indicate?

withdraws from pain- 4 

Painful stimulus causes the arms to flex inward tightly toward the chest.

Question: Which GCS category is this, What is this movement called, &  how many points does it indicate?

decoriate flexion - 3. 

Pain causes the patient’s arms to extend straight and rotate outward.
Question: Which GCS category is this, what is this movement called, and how many points does it indicate?

decerebrate flexion - 2

The patient shows no movement to voice or pain.

Question: Which GCS category is this, and how many points does it indicate?

no motor response - 1

a minor brain injury is a range of WHAT points?

13 - 15 points

A moderate brain injury is between what ranges of points?

9-12 points

A severe brain injury is between what ranges of points?

3-8 points