What it means
Awareness and the ability to respond. The level of consciousness ranges from fully alert, through lethargic (drowsy but easy to wake), obtunded (hard to keep awake) and stuporous (wakes only to strong stimulation), to coma (cannot be woken). It is one of the most sensitive signs of a change in brain function. The Glasgow Coma Scale scores it by eye opening, speech and movement.
For the nurse
Check the level of consciousness with every neurological assessment, and compare it with the client's baseline. A change, even a subtle one such as new restlessness or drowsiness, is often the first sign of a problem and should be reported.
At a glance
| Abbreviations | LOC (ambiguous on its own: also loss of consciousness); GCS (Glasgow Coma Scale) |
|---|---|
| Spanish | conciencia |
Related terms
intracranial pressure
The pressure inside the skull, made by the brain, the blood and the fluid around the brain.
mental status
A person's state of mind at a given time: how alert they are, what they know and how they think, speak and behave.
drowsiness
Feeling sleepy or less alert than usual.
confusion
A state in which a person cannot think clearly, pay attention, remember or know where they are.
orientation
A person's awareness of who they are, where they are, what time it is and what is happening.