What are the values for mild, moderate, and severe levels of the Glasgow Coma Scale?

What are the values for mild, moderate, and severe levels of the Glasgow Coma Scale?

• A. Mild = 15; Moderate = 9-13; Severe = 3 or lower
• B. Mild = 14 or higher; Moderate = 9-13; Severe = 8 or lower
• C. Mild = 13; Moderate = 8-12; Severe = 7 or lower
• D. Mild = 12 or higher; Moderate = 7-11; Severe = 6 or lower

Answer: (B)

The Glasgow Coma Scale assigns severity based on how alert and responsive a patient is, using a total score from 3 to 15 (higher scores mean better consciousness). In this scheme, mild impairment is defined as a score of 14 or higher, moderate impairment as 9 to 13, and severe impairment as 8 or lower. This aligns with the idea that near-normal function corresponds to a high score (14–15), moderate impairment falls in the middle range (9–13), and a coma or deep unconsciousness corresponds to the low end (≤8). The total score is the sum of eye, verbal, and motor responses, so understanding how each component contributes helps you see why these cutoffs make sense: a near-normal eye/open response, coherent or minorly confused verbal response, and purposeful motor actions push the total into the mild range, while reductions in any of these domains lower the score into moderate or severe categories. This is why the option with mild = 14 or higher, moderate = 9–13, severe = 8 or lower is the best fit.

The Glasgow Coma Scale assigns severity based on how alert and responsive a patient is, using a total score from 3 to 15 (higher scores mean better consciousness). In this scheme, mild impairment is defined as a score of 14 or higher, moderate impairment as 9 to 13, and severe impairment as 8 or lower. This aligns with the idea that near-normal function corresponds to a high score (14–15), moderate impairment falls in the middle range (9–13), and a coma or deep unconsciousness corresponds to the low end (≤8). The total score is the sum of eye, verbal, and motor responses, so understanding how each component contributes helps you see why these cutoffs make sense: a near-normal eye/open response, coherent or minorly confused verbal response, and purposeful motor actions push the total into the mild range, while reductions in any of these domains lower the score into moderate or severe categories. This is why the option with mild = 14 or higher, moderate = 9–13, severe = 8 or lower is the best fit.