Scale of Glasgow

The scale of Glasgow , or score of Glasgow ( Glasgow coma scale , GCS), is an indicator of the state of consciousness. In an emergency context, it makes it possible to the doctor to choose a strategy in the optics of the maintenance of the vital Fonctions. This scale was developed per G. Teasdale and B. Jennet at the institute of neurology of Glasgow (Scotland) in 1974 for the cranial traumatisms.

This score is narrowly correlated with the gravity (stratification of the spontaneous risk of complications and evolution) of the comas.

Scale

It is a scale going from 3 (major Coma) to 15 (anybody perfectly conscious), and who is evaluated on three criteria:

opening of the eyes;
verbal answer;
driving answer.

Each criterion receives a note; the total total is the sum of these notes, but the individual notes must be also considered. For example, a dumb man will always have a verbal answer of 1 same if it is perfectly conscious, its maximum total will be then of 11 and not of 15. Such complementary elements are essential for a correct neurological evaluation.

The concept of unconsciousness in First aid corresponds overall to a lower total 8.

The scale was adapted to the children:

Reaction to the pain

If the victim does not carry out a spontaneous action, nor with the noise or the touch, one tests his reaction to the Douleur. It is advisable to exert a stimulation which does not cause a wound nor of aggravation of the state, not involving a lesion of the stimulated zone. For example: to exert a pressure with a hard object on a nail, to press with a phalange on the medium of the sternum, to exert a pressure under the angle of the jaw lower or behind the ears,… the methods of pinching were practiced but are now banished.

See the detailed article Pain.

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