Practical points

The best response should always be the one recorded; therefore if there is a discrepancy between each side,  always record the best side.

The total score out of 15 should always be recorded, along with the score for the 3 component parts of eyes (X/4), verbal (X/5) and motor (X/6). These scores should always be passed on to an emergency department.

A one point variation in the total GCS is not clinically significant, but a change of greater than one point is clinically significant indicating either a significant deterioration or improvement.

N.B. researchers demonstrated that even healthcare professionals who use the GCS on a daily basis as part of their work, are incapable of applying it accurately without an aide memoir. Candidates are therefore advised to ensure that, having familiarised themselves with the GCS, they have an aide memoir available to them in their medical rooms for patient assessment.