What does Dean Morrison's GCS score indicate about his condition?

Study for the Swift River ER Exam. Test your knowledge with questions that mimic real exam scenarios. Prepare effectively and enhance your clinical skills with detailed explanations and insights.

The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is a clinical scale used to assess a person's level of consciousness after a brain injury. It evaluates three aspects of responsiveness: eye opening, verbal response, and motor response, with a combined score ranging from 3 to 15. A score of 3 indicates deep unconsciousness, while a score of 15 suggests full consciousness.

When Dean Morrison's GCS score is interpreted as indicating severe unconsciousness, it typically means that his score is low, often around 3 to 8. This range signifies a significant impairment in cognitive function and responsiveness, indicating that he may not respond to verbal commands or exhibit purposeful motor activity. It may also suggest potential brain injury or damage, which requires urgent medical intervention.

In the context of the other possible responses, high responsiveness and normal responsiveness would indicate a higher GCS score, reflecting a stable or uninjured neurological state. Moderate unconsciousness would be indicative of a mid-range GCS score, between 9 to 12, which does not accurately describe the severity implied by a score indicative of severe unconsciousness. Therefore, indicating that Dean Morrison has severe unconsciousness aligns with the critical nature of his condition as assessed by the GCS.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy