WardRound

For healthcare professionals. Educational tool only — not a medical device. Verify all results against the current BNF, NICE guidance and local policy, and apply clinical judgement.

Risk scoresEmergency

Glasgow Coma Scale

Standardised assessment of consciousness level from eye, verbal and motor responses (3–15).

Glasgow Coma Scale

15

Mild (13–15)

Components
E4 V5 M6Always record components, not just the total

Caveats & limitations

  • Assess the BEST response; note confounders (sedation, intubation, hearing/language barriers, orbital trauma).
  • Use the paediatric modification for pre-verbal children.
  • Trend over time matters more than a single reading.

Evidence & UK guidance

Primary evidence

  • Teasdale G, Jennett B. Assessment of coma and impaired consciousness. A practical scale. Lancet. 1974;2(7872):81–84.

    PubMedDOI

UK practice

GCS is the standard consciousness assessment across the NHS; NEWS2 uses its simplified derivative ACVPU (Alert, Confusion, Voice, Pain, Unresponsive). In intubated or sedated patients, record the best obtainable responses and annotate (e.g. VT for verbal untestable).

Official resources

Formula and citations last verified: 2026-08-03

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