1. What is the Glasgow Coma Scale?

The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is a neurological scale used to assess a person's level of consciousness after brain injury. It evaluates three components: eye response, verbal response, and motor response, with scores ranging from 3 to 15.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the GCS formula:

Where:

• \( E \) — Eye Response (1-4 points)
• \( V \) — Verbal Response (1-5 points)
• \( M \) — Motor Response (1-6 points)

Explanation: The scale provides a quick, standardized method for assessing consciousness level by summing scores from the three categories.

3. Importance of GCS Assessment

Details: GCS is crucial for monitoring neurological status, guiding treatment decisions, and predicting outcomes in patients with brain injuries or altered consciousness.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Select the appropriate score for each category based on the patient's responses. The total score provides an objective measure of consciousness level.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What do different GCS scores indicate?
A: Scores of 13-15 indicate mild injury, 9-12 moderate injury, and 3-8 severe injury (coma).

Q2: How often should GCS be assessed?
A: Frequency depends on the patient's condition, but typically every 1-4 hours for acute cases.

Q3: Are there limitations to GCS?
A: Yes, it may be less reliable in intubated patients, those with language barriers, or when sedatives are used.

Q4: What is the minimum GCS score?
A: The minimum score is 3, indicating deep coma or brain death.

Q5: Can GCS be used for children?
A: Yes, but a modified pediatric version exists for children under 5 years old.