What it means
Developed in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1974. It scores three responses: eye opening (1–4), best verbal response (1–5) and best motor response (1–6). Totals range from 3 (no response) to 15 (fully awake and oriented). A score of 8 or less is generally taken to mean a severe brain injury or coma, when the client may not be able to protect their airway. Repeated scores show whether a client is getting better or worse.
For the nurse
Use the best response, and record each part as well as the total (for example E3 V4 M6). Report a drop of 2 points or more, or any fall in the motor score, at once.
Remember it
"Eight, intubate": a GCS of 8 or less often means the airway needs protecting.
At a glance
| Abbreviations | GCS |
|---|---|
| Spanish | escala de coma de Glasgow |
| Also written | GCS, Glasgow coma score |
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.
subarachnoid hemorrhage
Bleeding into the fluid-filled space between the two inner layers of tissue that cover the brain.