Interactive tool

Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)

Score level of consciousness with the Glasgow Coma Scale — eye, verbal, and motor response — for a total of 3 to 15. Always chart the component breakdown (e.g., E3 V4 M5), since two patients with the same total can look very different.

Eye opening Verbal response Motor response

Total score

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A GCS of 8 or less is the classic threshold prompting airway protection. Report the component breakdown (e.g., E3 V4 M5), not just the total.