Introduction
Aim of the GCS:
This system allows the conscious level of patients to be assessed and recorded using a numerical score. It's advantage is that
it is relatively 'universal', in that it enables different health-care professionals to assess the patient at different times
in order to make serial comparisons of the patient's conscious level.
A score <8 is generally considered to be the 'cut-off' at which the patient may well require support with their airway. This should always
be considered in unconscious patients.
Use the mnemonic 'Mental State Examination' or 'MSE' to remember the order:
Motor (out of 6) / Speech (out of 5) / Eye-opening (out of 4)
Total score = out of 15 / Minimum score = 3/15
