Glasgow Coma Scale (redirected from Glasgow Coma Score)

Glas·gow Coma Scale (glsg)

n.

A scale for measuring level of consciousness, especially after a head injury, in which scoring is determined by three factors: amount of eye opening, verbal responsiveness, and motor responsiveness.

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Glasgow Coma Scale,

a quick, practical standardized system for assessing the degree of consciousness in the critically ill and for predicting the duration and ultimate outcome of coma, primarily in patients with head injuries. The system involves eye opening, verbal response, and motor response, all of which are evaluated independently according to a rank order that indicates the level of consciousness and degree of dysfunction. The degree of consciousness is assessed numerically by the best response. The results may be plotted on a graph to provide a visual representation of the improvement, stability, or deterioration of a patient's level of consciousness, which is crucial to predicting the eventual outcome of coma. The sum of the numeric values for each parameter can also be used as an overall objective measurement, with 15 indicative of no impairment, 3 compatible with brain death, and 7 usually accepted as a state of coma. The test score can also function as an indicator for certain diagnostic tests or treatments, such as the need for a computed tomography scan, intracranial pressure monitoring, and intubation. The scale has a high degree of consistency even when used by staff with varied experience.

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Glasgow Coma Scale

see trauma score.

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Glasgow coma scale

Critical care A method for evaluating the severity of CNS involvement in head injury, which measures 3 parameters–maximum score of 15 for normal cerebral function, 0 for brain death. Cf Harvard criteria, Pittsburgh score.

Glasgow coma scale

Best motor response, ie subject obeys commands 6, if none 0

Best verbal response, ie oriented 5, if no response 0

Eye opening, if spontaneous 4, if none 0; the GCS is less useful in