Coma Scale and Traumatic Brain Injury

This set of flashcards covers key terms and definitions related to the Coma Scale and different levels of traumatic brain injury.

Eye Opening Response

A component of the Coma Scale that assesses a patient's ability to open their eyes in response to stimuli.

Verbal Response

A component of the Coma Scale that evaluates a patient's ability to produce coherent speech and respond to questions.

Motor Response

A part of the Coma Scale assessing a patient's physical movements in response to commands or painful stimuli.

Mild TBI

Traumatic brain injury typically involving a brief loss of consciousness and mild symptoms like headache and dizziness.

Moderate TBI

Traumatic brain injury characterized by longer periods of unconsciousness and serious symptoms, requiring medical intervention.

Severe TBI

A serious traumatic brain injury that can lead to coma and life-threatening complications, often requiring surgery and rehabilitation.

Coma Scale

A scale used to assess the level of consciousness and brain function in patients.

Decorticate posture

Abnormal flexion associated with severe brain injury, indicating a poor prognosis.

Decerebrate posture

Abnormal extension indicating more severe brain injury or damage to the brainstem.

Prognosis

The predicted outcome of a medical condition, particularly related to recovery after injury.

Coma Scale (Glasgow Coma Scale)

A scale used to assess a patient's level of consciousness based on three components: Eye, Verbal, and Motor responses. Scores range from 3 to 15.

Eye Opening Response

Assessed on a scale of 1 to 4: 1 (No eye opening), 2 (Eye opening to pain), 3 (Eye opening to verbal command), 4 (Eyes open spontaneously). Example: 4 if a patient opens their eyes without stimulus.

Verbal Response

Scored from 1 to 5: 1 (No verbal response), 2 (Incomprehensible sounds), 3 (Inappropriate words), 4 (Confused conversation), 5 (Oriented). Example: 5 if the patient is able to answer questions appropriately.

Motor Response

Scored from 1 to 6: 1 (No movement), 2 (Extension to pain), 3 (Abnormal flexion to pain), 4 (Flexion/withdrawal from pain), 5 (Localizing to pain), 6 (Obeys commands). Example: 6 if the patient can follow commands like squeezing a hand.

Total Score

The sum of the scores from the Eye, Verbal, and Motor responses, ranging from 3 (Deep coma) to 15 (Fully alert). Example: A patient with scores of 4 (eye), 5 (verbal), and 6 (motor) would have a total score of 15.