Coma Scale – Glasgow

 

The Glasgow coma scale is used to assess patients in a coma. The initial score correlates with the severity of brain injury and prognosis. The Glasgow Coma Scale provides a score in the range 3-15; patients with scores of 3-8 are usually said to be in a coma.

Score for eye opening + score for best verbal response + score for best motor response = Glasgow Coma Scale

What the Score Means

  • 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

For Adults

Eye Opening Response

Spontaneous–open with blinking at baseline
Opens to verbal command, speech, or shout
Opens to pain, not applied to face
None

4 points
3 points
2 points
1 points

 

 

 

Verbal Response

Oriented
Confused conversation, but able to answer questions
Inappropriate responses, words discernible
Incomprehensible speech
None

5 points
4 points
3 points
2 points
1 points

Motor Response

Obeys commands for movement
Purposeful movement to painful stimulus
Withdraws from pain
Abnormal (spastic) flexion, decorticate posture
Extensor (rigid) response, decerebrate posture
None

6 points
5 points
4 points
3 points
2 points
1 points

For children 2 to 5 Yrs.

Appropriate words or phrases
Inappropriate words
Persistent cries and/or screams
Incomprehensible speech
Grunts
No response
6 points
5 points
4 points
3 points
2 points
1 points

For children 0 To 23 Mos.

Smiles or coos appropriately
Cries and consolable
Persistent inappropriate crying &/or screaming
Grunts or is agitated or restless
No response
5 points
4 points
3 points
2 points
1 points