1. What is the Glasgow Coma Scale?

The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is a neurological scale used to assess the level of consciousness in patients with 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 a patient's level of consciousness and tracking changes over time.

3. Importance of GCS Assessment

Details: GCS is crucial for initial assessment of traumatic brain injury, monitoring neurological status, guiding treatment decisions, and predicting patient outcomes.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Select the appropriate response level for each category based on the patient's best response. The total score will be calculated automatically along with the corresponding injury severity classification.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What do the different GCS scores indicate?
A: 13-15: Mild injury; 9-12: Moderate injury; 3-8: Severe injury. Lower scores indicate more severe impairment.

Q2: When should GCS be assessed?
A: GCS should be assessed initially after injury, regularly during treatment, and whenever there's a change in neurological status.

Q3: Are there limitations to the GCS?
A: Yes, GCS may be less reliable in intubated patients, those with facial injuries, or when sedatives/paralytics are used.

Q4: What's the pediatric version of GCS?
A: The Pediatric Glasgow Coma Scale modifies verbal responses to be age-appropriate for children.

Q5: How often should GCS be repeated?
A: Frequency depends on the patient's condition - from every 15-30 minutes in acute settings to every 2-4 hours in stable patients.