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.

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

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

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.

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.