A patient is speaking in random words, pulling away from pain, and opening the eyes only when spoken to. What is the Glasgow Coma Scale score for this patient?

A patient is speaking in random words, pulling away from pain, and opening the eyes only when spoken to. What is the Glasgow Coma Scale score for this patient?

• A. 6
• B. 10
• C. 9
• D. 12

Answer: (B)

Glasgow Coma Scale sums three components: eye opening, verbal response, and motor response. Eye opening only when spoken to corresponds to eye opening to voice, which is 3 points. Verbal response of speaking in random, nonsensical words = inappropriate words, 3 points. Motor response of withdrawing from pain = withdraws from pain, 4 points. Add them up: 3 + 3 + 4 = 10. So, the patient’s Glasgow Coma Scale score is 10, which sits in the range indicating moderate impairment.

Glasgow Coma Scale sums three components: eye opening, verbal response, and motor response. Eye opening only when spoken to corresponds to eye opening to voice, which is 3 points. Verbal response of speaking in random, nonsensical words = inappropriate words, 3 points. Motor response of withdrawing from pain = withdraws from pain, 4 points. Add them up: 3 + 3 + 4 = 10. So, the patient’s Glasgow Coma Scale score is 10, which sits in the range indicating moderate impairment.