Which Glasgow Coma Scale range indicates severe brain injury?

Which Glasgow Coma Scale range indicates severe brain injury?

• A. 9-12
• B. 13-15
• C. 3-8
• D. 0-2

Answer: (C)

The Glasgow Coma Scale sums three components—eye opening, verbal response, and motor response—to give a total score that reflects level of consciousness. A total of 3 to 8 indicates severe impairment, often a coma, which is why this range is used to label severe brain injury. Scores of 9 to 12 represent a moderate deficit, while 13 to 15 reflect mild injury with near-normal function. The scale’s minimum possible total is 3 (E1 V1 M1), so a range of 0–2 isn’t a valid GCS outcome. Therefore, 3–8 best represents severe brain injury.

The Glasgow Coma Scale sums three components—eye opening, verbal response, and motor response—to give a total score that reflects level of consciousness. A total of 3 to 8 indicates severe impairment, often a coma, which is why this range is used to label severe brain injury. Scores of 9 to 12 represent a moderate deficit, while 13 to 15 reflect mild injury with near-normal function. The scale’s minimum possible total is 3 (E1 V1 M1), so a range of 0–2 isn’t a valid GCS outcome. Therefore, 3–8 best represents severe brain injury.