Assess motor responsiveness, verbal performance and eye-opening

<aside> 💡 toxicology with low GCS, motor score alone better indicator of consciousness than total GCS

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To assess a baseline GCS

• C – Can you hear me?
• O – Open your eyes (EYE RESPONSE SCORE)
• W – What is your name? date? place? (VERBAL RESPONSE SCORE)
• S – Squeeze my hand, can you move your fingers and toes (MOTOR RESPONSE SCORE)
  • motor response may differ left vs right. Record best response but also what happens on other side

No response to ‘COWS’ → PAINFUL stimulus

• Sternal rub
• Orbital ridge pressure
• Nailbed pressure

The highest response from each category elicited by the healthcare professional is scored on the chart.

• highest score: 15
• lowest score: 3
• GCS 8 airway at risk