Coma:

Definition:

Coma is a state of unconsciousness from which a person can not be aroused by painful stimuli.

The Glasgow coma scale (GCS):

1) Eye opening:

• Spontaneous eye opening – 4
• Eye opening to voice  – 3
• Eye opening to pain – 2
• No eye opening  – 1

2) Verbal response:

• Normal speech, oriented – 5
• Normal speech, disoriented – 4
• Abnormal speech (incomplete words)  – 3
• Incomprehensive sounds – 2
• No verbal response – 1

3) Motor response:

• Obeys commands – 6
• Localizes pain – 5
• Flexion withdrawal to pain – 4
• Abnormal flexion – 3
• Extension – 2
• No response – 1