GCS stands for Glasgow Coma Scale.
What does GCS mean?
a score of consciousness based on eye, verbal, and motor responses
GCS stands for Glasgow Coma Scale, a widely used tool for measuring a persons level of consciousness, especially after a head injury. It scores three responses: eye opening (1 to 4), verbal response (1 to 5), and motor response (1 to 6). The three are added for a total from 3 (deep unconsciousness) to 15 (fully alert). A score of 8 or less generally indicates a coma. Scores are often recorded by component, for example E4 V5 M6, because the pattern gives more information than the total alone. GCS is also built into other scores such as qSOFA and SOFA.
When is GCS used?
GCS is used by emergency services, nurses, and doctors for all acute medical and trauma patients, and is tracked over time to detect change.
Frequently asked questions
What does GCS stand for?
GCS stands for Glasgow Coma Scale, a score of consciousness based on eye, verbal, and motor responses.
What is the range of the GCS?
The total ranges from 3, meaning deep unconsciousness, to 15, meaning fully alert.
What GCS score indicates a coma?
A score of 8 or less generally indicates a coma.
Why is GCS recorded by component?
Recording eye, verbal, and motor scores separately, for example E4 V5 M6, gives more information than the total alone.