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 (E), Verbal Response (V), and Motor Response (M), 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 GCS provides a quick, standardized method to assess consciousness level by summing scores from three behavioral responses.

3. Importance of GCS Assessment

Details: GCS is crucial for initial assessment of traumatic brain injury, monitoring neurological status, predicting outcomes, and guiding treatment decisions in emergency and critical care settings.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Select the appropriate response level for each category based on patient assessment. The total score will automatically calculate, with lower scores indicating more severe impairment.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What do different GCS scores indicate?
A: 13-15: Mild brain injury; 9-12: Moderate brain injury; 3-8: Severe brain injury (coma).

Q2: How often should GCS be assessed?
A: Frequency depends on the patient's condition, but typically every 1-2 hours for acute cases or whenever neurological status changes.

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

Q4: What's the minimum GCS score?
A: The minimum possible score is 3, indicating no eye, verbal, or motor responses.

Q5: Is GCS used for pediatric patients?
A: Yes, but a modified version (Pediatric GCS) is often used for children under 5 years old.