The Nervous System: Glasgow Coma Scale

The nervous system is an organ system containing a network of specialized cells called neurons that coordinate the actions of a human being and transmit signals between different parts of its body. The nervous system consists of two parts, central and peripheral. The central nervous system contains the brain, spinal cord, and retina. The peripheral nervous system consists of sensory neurons, clusters of neurons called ganglia, and nerves connecting them to each other and to the central nervous system.


Neuron- is the functional unit of the nervous system. Each connected at the synapse between axon (transmits message away from the neuron) and dendrite (transmits message towards the neuron.
Neurotransmitters- are chemical compounds which activate or inhibit such transmission.


NEUROLOGICAL ASSESSMENT CONSISTS OF THE FF:

• Mental Status or LOC
• Reflexes
• Motor functions
• Sensory functions
• Cranial Nerves

The Glasgow Coma Scale- tool used in assessing a patient's response to stimuli. Scores range from 3 (deep coma) to 15 (normal), a score less than or equal to 8 indicates coma.

Eye Opening

• Spontaneous (4)
• To verbal command (3)
• To pain (2)
• No Response (1)

Motor Response

• To verbal command (6)
• To localized pain (5)
• Flexes and withdraws (4)
• Flexes abnormally (decorticate) (3)
• Flexes abnormally (decerebrate) (2)
• No Response (1)

Verbal Response

• Oriented (5)
• Disoriented (4)
• Inappropriate words (3)
• Incomprehensible sound (2)
• No Response (1)

Confusion- loss of ability to think clearly

Disorientation- inability to recognize time, place, person

Lethargy-  lack of spontaneous movement or speech and easily aroused but disoriented

Obtundation- reduced ability to be aroused and limited response to environment

Stupor- condition of deep sleep or unresponsiveness  and aroused only by vigorous stimulation

Coma- no motor response to any stimuli, even deep pain

Dysarthria- defect in articulation, ennunciation

Dysphonia- abnormal production of sound

Aphasia- inability to understand written and spoken words

Agnosia- inability to recognize objects by use of 5 senses.