What it means
The lowest level of consciousnessLEV-ul uv KON-shus-nisHow awake, alert and aware of their surroundings a person is.Full entry . The eyes stay closed and the person does not respond to voice and does not react to pain in a purposeful way. Causes include brain injury, stroke, very low or high blood glucose, drug overdose, lack of oxygen and liver or kidney failure. A Glasgow Coma Scale score of 8 or less usually means coma.
For the nurse
Protect the airway first: position on the side or with the head of the bed raised, suction as needed and watch breathing. Turn the client often, give eye and mouth care, and do range of motion. Talk to the client as if they can hear.
At a glance
| Spanish | coma |
|---|---|
| Also written | comatose |
Related terms
intracranial pressure
The pressure inside the skull, made by the brain, the blood and the fluid around the brain.
level of consciousness
How awake, alert and aware of their surroundings a person is.
traumatic brain injury
Damage to the brain caused by an outside force, such as a blow or jolt to the head or an object entering the skull.