MCQ – 99741

Glasgow Coma Score Scale pertains to:

A.	Head injury only
B.	Head and cervical injury
C.	Chest injury
D.	Level of consciousness

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Correct Answer � D Explanation

Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)?

• The GCS is a neurological scale used to assess a patient’s level of consciousness after any cause of altered mental status, most commonly head injury.

• It evaluates three parameters:

  1. Eye opening (E) – Score: 1 to 4

  2. Verbal response (V) – Score: 1 to 5

  3. Motor response (M) – Score: 1 to 6

• Total score: Minimum = 3, Maximum = 15

  • GCS ≤8 = Coma

  • GCS 9–12 = Moderate injury

  • GCS 13–15 = Mild or no injury

D. Level of Consciousness – True

• GCS was developed to provide an objective method to assess consciousness and neurological function, especially in trauma, but also used in:

  • Stroke

  • Intoxication

  • Post-anesthesia monitoring

  • Coma assessment

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

A. Head Injury Only 

• While GCS is commonly used in head injury, it is not limited to it

• Also used in any setting where consciousness must be quantified

B. Head and Cervical Injury 

• GCS doesn’t assess spinal cord or cervical injury

• May be impaired by it (e.g., inability to verbalize or move), but GCS itself is focused on neurological status

C. Chest Injury 

• Chest trauma may impact respiration, but GCS is not used for thoracic injury scoring