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Table 19-2

Glasgow Coma Scale for Head Injury

Eye Opening (E)Verbal Response (V)
Spontaneous4Oriented5
To loud voice3Confused, disoriented4
To pain2Inappropriate words3
Nil1Incomprehensible sounds2
Nil1
Best Motor Response (M)
Obeys6
Localizes5
Withdraws (flexion)4
Abnormal flexion posturing3
Extension posturing2
Nil1

Note: Coma score = E + M + V. Patients scoring 3 or 4 have an 85% chance of dying or remaining vegetative, whereas scores >11 indicate only a 5-10% likelihood of death or vegetative state and 85% chance of moderate disability or good recovery. Intermediate scores correlate with proportional chances of recovery.