Head Injury (cont.)
Medical Author:
Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM
Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEMDr. Ben Wedro practices emergency medicine at Gundersen Clinic, a regional trauma center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. His background includes undergraduate and medical studies at the University of Alberta, a Family Practice internship at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and residency training in Emergency Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Medical Editor:
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical EditorMelissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology. IN THIS ARTICLE
Head Injury Guidelines and Assessment: Glasgow Coma ScaleThe Glasgow Coma Scale was developed to provide a simple way for health care practitioners of different skill levels and training to quickly assess a patient's mental status and depth of coma based upon observations of eye opening, speech, and movement. Patients in the deepest level of coma:
Those in lighter comas may offer some response, to the point they may even seem awake, yet meet the criteria of coma because they do not respond to their environment.
Glasgow Coma Scale A person who is awake has a Glasgow Coma Scale of 15, while a person who is dead would have a score of 3. The abnormal motor responses of flexion and extension describe arm and leg movement when a painful stimulus is applied.
Trauma patients are often "touched" by many health care practitioners; from first responders, EMTs, emergency physicians, surgeons and neurosurgeons. Not only is it important to assess the depth of coma but also to know if the patient is improving or deteriorating. The Glasgow Coma Scale allows that analysis to occur. The scale is used as part of the initial evaluation of a patient, but does not assist in making the diagnosis as to the cause of coma. Since it "scores" the level of coma, the GCS can be used as a standard method for any health care practitioner to assess change in patient status. Viewer Comments & ReviewsHead Injury - TreatmentThe eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:What treatment did you receive for your head injury? Head Injury - TestsThe eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:What tests were performed for your head injury? Head InjuryThe eMedicineHealth physician editors asked:Please describe the cause and outcome of your Head Injury. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Head Injury »
Head injury can be defined as any alteration in mental or physical functioning related to a blow to the head.
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