The total Glasgow Coma Scale score ranges from which values?

The total Glasgow Coma Scale score ranges from which values?

• A. 1-15
• B. 3-15
• C. 5-20
• D. 0-15

Answer: (B)

The total Glasgow Coma Scale is obtained by adding three parts—eye opening, verbal response, and motor response—each with its own finite range. Eye opening ranges from 1 to 4, verbal response from 1 to 5, and motor response from 1 to 6. Adding the minimum values (1 + 1 + 1) gives a lowest possible total of 3, while adding the maximum values (4 + 5 + 6) gives a highest possible total of 15. So the score can only range from 3 to 15. A higher score means better consciousness, while a lower score indicates greater impairment. The other ranges don’t fit because you can’t reach totals below 3 (each component starts at 1) and you can’t exceed 15 (the component maximums sum to 15).

The total Glasgow Coma Scale is obtained by adding three parts—eye opening, verbal response, and motor response—each with its own finite range. Eye opening ranges from 1 to 4, verbal response from 1 to 5, and motor response from 1 to 6. Adding the minimum values (1 + 1 + 1) gives a lowest possible total of 3, while adding the maximum values (4 + 5 + 6) gives a highest possible total of 15. So the score can only range from 3 to 15. A higher score means better consciousness, while a lower score indicates greater impairment. The other ranges don’t fit because you can’t reach totals below 3 (each component starts at 1) and you can’t exceed 15 (the component maximums sum to 15).