What is the range of the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score?

The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is a clinical scale used to assess a person's level of consciousness after a brain injury. The scoring system evaluates three aspects: eye opening, verbal response, and motor response. Each aspect is assigned a point value, and the total is calculated to yield a GCS score.

The lowest possible score on the GCS is 3, which indicates no response in any of the assessed areas (eye opening, verbal response, and motor response). The highest possible score is 15, indicating a fully alert and oriented individual who responds appropriately in all categories. As a result, the range of the Glasgow Coma Scale scores extends from 3 to 15.

This range is crucial for healthcare providers to gauge the severity of a patient’s brain injury and determine the necessary interventions. A GCS score of 8 or below is often indicative of a severe brain injury and may necessitate immediate medical attention or intervention.