# Glasgow Coma Scale

Score eye, verbal, and motor responses. Report each component and the total.

Population: Adult & pediatric. Scope: Assessment.
Status: published. Source-linked OCEMS summary.
Summary updated: 2026-09-16.
Source checked: 2026-09-16.
Source version: Revised November 13, 2023 · Final implementation October 1, 2024.
Canonical page: https://www.ocmedic.com/guides/gcs/
Official source: [PR-002 — Glasgow Coma Scale (Score)](https://www.ochealthinfo.com/sites/healthcare/files/2024-03/PR-02%20GCS%20%28Score%29%2011-2023.pdf)

Independent OC Medic summary. Does not replace the complete policy, current system notices, or clinical judgment.

## Report the components

- Give eye / verbal / motor scores in that order, followed by the total. Example: E4 V5 M6 = 15.
- The minimum total is 3, not 0. Use the age-appropriate scoring table.

## Source documents

- [PR-002 — Glasgow Coma Scale (Score)](https://www.ochealthinfo.com/sites/healthcare/files/2024-03/PR-02%20GCS%20%28Score%29%2011-2023.pdf)
- [SO-M-055 — Suspected Sepsis](https://www.ochealthinfo.com/sites/healthcare/files/2024-10/SO-M-55%20Sepsis%209-2024.pdf)
- [SO-T-005 — General Injury and Trauma - Adult / Adolescent](https://www.ochealthinfo.com/sites/healthcare/files/2024-03/SO-T-05%20Gen%20Trauma%204-2024_0.pdf)

## Adult scoring

| Component | Score → response |
| --- | --- |
| Eyes | 4 spontaneous · 3 voice · 2 pain · 1 none |
| Verbal | 5 oriented · 4 confused · 3 inappropriate words · 2 incomprehensible sounds · 1 none |
| Motor | 6 follows commands · 5 localizes pain · 4 withdraws from pain · 3 abnormal flexion · 2 extension · 1 none |

## Pediatric scoring: age 2 and younger

| Component | Score → response |
| --- | --- |
| Eyes | 4 spontaneous · 3 sound · 2 pain · 1 none |
| Verbal | 5 smiles/coos, tracks or interacts appropriately · 4 irritable crying/inappropriate interaction · 3 cries with pain · 2 inconsolable or moans with pain · 1 none |
| Motor | 6 purposeful spontaneous movement · 5 withdraws from touch · 4 withdraws from pain · 3 abnormal flexion · 2 extension · 1 none |

## Use a reproducible report

- Record eye, verbal, and motor components separately so a later clinician can distinguish a change in one response from a change in another. Add the total after the components.
- Use the pediatric descriptors for age 2 and younger; infant interaction and purposeful movement differ from the adult verbal/command tasks.

## Connect the score with the clinical pathway

- A GCS below 13 is one of four qualifying findings in the adult suspected-sepsis criteria; infection plus at least two findings is required. GCS alone does not diagnose sepsis.
- In adult traumatic brain injury, SO-T-005 directs establishing the airway by the most appropriate available means at GCS 8 or below, with concurrent oxygenation, ETCO₂, and blood-pressure management. Interpret the score with the rest of the patient’s assessment.