What Glasgow Coma Scale score indicates severe injury?

Prepare for the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) Board Exam with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question offers hints and explanations. Ace your board exam!

A Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score ranging from 3 to 8 indicates severe injury. The GCS is a neurological scale that assesses a patient's level of consciousness following a head injury. It evaluates three aspects: eye opening, verbal response, and motor response, with scores ranging from 3 (deep unconsciousness) to 15 (fully alert).

When the GCS score is between 3 and 8, it signifies a state of decreased consciousness that can be associated with life-threatening conditions such as brain trauma or significant neurological impairment. At this level, patients may be non-responsive to verbal commands, may not open their eyes, and might show abnormal motor responses.

Conversely, scores that fall into the ranges of 9-12 indicate a moderate injury, while scores of 13-15 suggest a mild injury or full consciousness, reflecting a better neurological status and higher likelihood of recovery. This differentiation is crucial in clinical settings for making decisions about interventions and prognoses.

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