Which statement accurately describes the Glasgow Coma Scale?

• A. It consists of three parts: eye opening, verbal response, and motor response.
• B. It ranges from 3 to 15.
• C. It is used only for pediatric patients.
• D. It does not include motor response.

Answer: (A)

The Glasgow Coma Scale is built around three response domains—eye opening, verbal response, and motor response. Each domain has its own scoring rules, and you add the three domain scores together to get a total that ranges from 3 to 15. This three-part structure is what makes the scale simple to administer quickly and easy to compare over time, which is crucial in assessing changes in consciousness after brain injury. While the total score can indeed be 3 to 15, that range results from combining the three components rather than defining the scale on its own. The scale is used across ages (with pediatric adaptations), and it clearly includes motor response, so statements that suggest otherwise aren’t accurate.