Sun28November0440PM 34

Your crash bleep alerts you to a road traffic accident victim who has just arrived in the Emergency department.

You see an 18-year-old male who is brought in by the paramedics following a RTA.

He is opening his eyes to painful stimuli, he is saying occasional inappropriate words, and he is extending his limbs to pain.

What is his Glasgow coma score?

(Please select 1 option)

4

7 This is the correct answer

6

8 Incorrect answer selected

10

Explanation

The Glasgow Coma Scale is a validated system for assessing a patient's state of consciousness.

The score runs from 3-15 and takes into account the following:

Score Eye Opening Verbal Response Motor Response

6 - - Obeys commands

5 - Alert and orientated Localises to pain

4 Spontaneous Confused Withdrawal from pain

3 On speech Inappropriate words Flexion to pain

2 On pain Incomprehensible sounds Extension to pain

1 None None None

This patient scores 7 and is comatose (a coma being defined as a GCS of 8 or less).

Answer Statistics

1

59%

2

9%

3

23%

4

11%

Times answered: 268