2. Definition of the GCS
History of the GCS
Knowing how to measure a patients
level of consciousness
Function of the GCS
3. Explain the value of the GCS for
patient care
Outline the three areas the GCS
assesses
Summarize the severity finding for
each range of the GCS
4. The Glasgow Coma Scale was first published in
1974 at the University of Glasgow by
neurosurgery professors Graham Teasdale and
Bryan Jennett
5. The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is
used to objectively describe the
extent of impaired consciousness in
all types of acute medical and
trauma patients .
6. Where brain injury is suspected the GCS has
proven to be a reliable tool for assessing
arousal and level of consciousness
the GCS allows the examiner to record
objectively the patient response to the
environment in three major areas
1)Eye opening
2)Movement
3)Verbalization
In each category the best response is scored
8. If a painful stimulus must be
applied the following techniques :
1) squeeze the belly of the trapezius
muscle with the thumb and first finger
where the neck and shoulder meet .
9. 2) Apply pressure over the
supraorbital notch .
3)Perform a sternal rub .
10.
11. comparing decerebrate and
decorticate postures .
1) Decerebrate posture results from
damage to the upper brain stem. In
this posture, the arms are adducted
and extended, with the wrists
pronated and the fingers flend. The
legs are stiffly extended, with plantar
flexciorn of the feet.
12. Decorticate posture results from
damage to one or both corticospinal
tracts. In this posture, the arms are
adducted and flesed, with the wrists
and fingers flexed on the chest. The
legs are stiffly exctended and
internally rotated, with plantar
flexion of the feet .
13. The maximum total score for a fully
awake and alert person is 15. A
minimum score of 3 indicates a
completely unresponsive patient. An
overall score of 8 or below is
associated with coma
14. A 73 year old patient looks at you when you
speak to her. When you ask her the date, she
says "blue." You note left-sided weakness
when she grips your fingers. What is her
Glasgow Coma Score ?
15. A trauma patient moans, bends his arms
towards his chest, and points his toes when
you attempt to start an IV. What is his
Glasgow Coma score ?
