Glasgow Coma Scale App: Adult and Pediatric Age
Consciousness Scale Assessment
Quick Guide: Consciousness Assessment Tool
Who is this for?
- Medical students during clinical rotations
- Nursing students learning patient assessment
- Healthcare professionals refreshing their skills
- Clinical educators teaching assessment techniques
When to use
- During training and practice sessions
- While learning consciousness assessment methods
- For quick reference during clinical studies
- To verify scoring understanding
How to use
- Enter patient's age - it automatically picks the right scale
- Select sex and verify the scale type
- Click each radio button that best matches your patient's response
- Hit Calculate to see the total score and assessment
Learning Models
Case 1: Mild Head Injury - GCS Score: 15
Scenario:
A 10-year-old child fell off a bike, hitting their head on the ground. Upon examination, the child opens their eyes spontaneously, is fully oriented, and follows commands without difficulty.
GCS:
- Eye Opening Response: Spontaneous (4)
- Verbal Response: Oriented (5)
- Motor Response: Obeys commands (6)
Total GCS Score: 15
Interpretation:
This is a case of mild brain injury. The child has a perfect GCS score, indicating a fully functional neurological status. There is no immediate threat to life, and the prognosis is very good. The child should be observed for any late signs of concussion, but the outcome is expected to be favorable.
Case 2: Moderate Head Injury - GCS Score: 10
Scenario:
A 6-year-old child was involved in a minor car accident. On examination, the child opens their eyes only to verbal commands, responds with confused speech, and withdraws from pain.
GCS:
- Eye Opening Response: To verbal command (3)
- Verbal Response: Confused (4)
- Motor Response: Withdraws from pain (4)
Total GCS Score: 10
Interpretation:
This child has a moderate brain injury with a GCS score of 10. While the child is responsive, there is evidence of disorientation and a delayed motor response. The prognosis is guarded, meaning close monitoring and further treatment may be required to ensure there are no complications such as brain swelling. With proper care, most children in this category recover well, but there is a risk of long-term cognitive or motor deficits.
Case 3: Severe Head Injury - GCS Score: 6
Scenario:
A 3-year-old child was struck by a falling object. Upon arrival at the emergency room, the child opens their eyes only in response to painful stimuli, makes incomprehensible sounds, and shows abnormal flexion to pain.
GCS:
- Eye Opening Response: To pain (2)
- Verbal Response: Incomprehensible sounds (2)
- Motor Response: Flexion to pain (decorticate) (3)
Total GCS Score: 6
Interpretation:
This child has a severe brain injury with a GCS score of 6. The child’s neurological state is concerning, as they are unresponsive to verbal commands and only respond to pain. The prognosis is poor, and immediate medical intervention is required to prevent further deterioration. Children with GCS scores this low are at risk of long-term disability, and the chance of full recovery decreases significantly.
Case 4: Mild Head Injury with Delayed Recovery - GCS Score: 13
Scenario:
A 12-year-old child suffered a head injury while playing sports. On initial examination, the child opens their eyes to verbal command, responds with appropriate words but appears confused at times, and localizes pain.
GCS:
- Eye Opening Response: To verbal command (3)
- Verbal Response: Appropriate but confused (4)
- Motor Response: Localizes pain (5)
Total GCS Score: 13
Interpretation:
This child has a mild brain injury with a GCS score of 13. While the prognosis is generally good, the confusion suggests a more prolonged recovery than typical mild cases. Observation is necessary, as symptoms like confusion or memory problems could persist for several days. Most children with this GCS score recover fully, but monitoring for signs of deterioration is crucial to prevent complications.
Case 5: Severe Head Injury with Poor Prognosis - GCS Score: 3
Scenario:
A 2-year-old child was in a major car accident. Upon examination, the child shows no eye opening, makes no verbal response, and shows no motor response, even to painful stimuli.
GCS:
- Eye Opening Response: None (1)
- Verbal Response: None (1)
- Motor Response: None (1)
Total GCS Score: 3
Interpretation:
This child has a GCS score of 3, the lowest possible score, indicating a deep coma and a very poor prognosis. There is no neurological response to any stimuli. The risk of mortality is high, and even if the child survives, the chances of meaningful neurological recovery are very slim. Immediate intensive care is essential, but the outlook remains grim.
Read More: Levels of Consciousness
