Which statement about the differences between the Glasgow Coma Scale and the pediatric coma scale is true?

• A. It includes pupil reactivity.
• B. It excludes eye opening as a measure.
• C. It uses different scoring for motor responses.
• D. It measures intracranial pressure.

Answer: (A)

Pupil reactivity is included in the pediatric coma scale because, in children—especially infants—verbal and cooperative responses may be limited or absent. Pupillary reactions are objective, age-independent bedside signs that help gauge brain function and potential brainstem involvement without needing the child to speak or follow commands. The Glasgow Coma Scale, by contrast, scores eye opening, verbal response, and motor response but does not include pupil reactivity as a scored element. So this statement reflects a true difference between the pediatric version and the adult version. Eye opening is still part of both scales, and while motor and verbal scoring differ between them, the key distinguishing feature mentioned here is the inclusion of pupil reactivity. Intracranial pressure is not measured by either scale.