9) Terminology: Using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is one of the important ways

Question

9) Terminology: Using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is one of the important ways you can estimate the state of conscious in the patients. 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. Amy Braden, age 24, was in the passenger seat of a car driven by her boyfriend when they were hit from behind by a truck whose brakes failed. Amy was wearing a seat belt, but hit her head on the dashboard. When the paramedics arrived, she was unconscious with significant head and facial bleeding. Her boyfriend had minor injuries and is also being treated in the emergency room. The nurse in the emergency room takes vital signs which reveals: T 97.0 degrees F., P 88, R 22 and BP 108/58. She begins to show signs of arousal and the nurse assesses neurological function by using the Glasgow Coma Scale. Amy’s total score on the Glasgow Coma Scale prior to arrival in the emergency room was 3, while the current score is 7. The assessment reveals the following: Eye Opening Response: responds to painful stimuli Best Motor Response: responds to stimuli by abnormal flexion Best Verbal Response: responds to stimuli by incomprehensible sounds What is the nurse’s interpretation of the meaning of her scores?

Explanation / Answer

Glasgow coma scale (GCS) is the scale to assess the condition of the patient in head injuries. Some numbers are given to the patient response to the stimuli. The responses are taken by eye opening response, best verbal response, and best motor response. The minimum value is 3 and maximum value is 15. The reading of this number is as follows, 15- best response, 9-14 moderate , 3-8 comatose patient. In the given scenario, the total score is 7 in the current situation. This comes into comatose status of the patient. It means that patient is in coma and not gained consciousness. The GCS score less than 8 indicate severe injury.

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