I tried to compile 5 important scoring systems in surgery for UG medical students.
Glasgow coma scale
Minimum score: 3 and Maximum score : 15
Tip to remember.
- Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) is a very popular term in India. The components of the Glasgow coma scale can be remembered using EVM: Eye-opening response, Verbal Response, Motor response.
- The maximum possible score for each component is 4,5,6 respectively i.e able to open eyes spontaneously, oriented, and is able to move on his own.
- The minimum possible score for each component is 1: No Response
- It is easy to remember if you think of it verbally. I tried to write the same below. Try to understand as you read along.
Eye opening response:
- Minimum Score 1: No response
- Score 2: Eyes open only when you inflict pain
- Score 3: Eyes open when you call his/her name
- Maximum: Score 4: He/She can spontaneously open eyes
Verbal Response:
- Minimum Score 1: No response – Not talking at all.
- Score 2: Just making sounds
- Score 3: Able to speak a few words, but they don’t make sense
- Score 4: Talking but confused
- Maximum Score 5: Oriented
Motor Response
- Minimum Score 1: No response
- Score 2: Extension on pain
- Score 3: Flexion on pain
- Score 4: When you inflict pain, he/she withdraws away from the stimulus
- Score 5: When you inflict pain, he/she tries to move towards the stimulus
- Maximum Score 6: Moving on his own or able to follow your commands
Pupil reactivity score
Note:
A higher pupillary reactivity score is assigned to non-reactive pupils. So it is more like “Pupil Unreactivity Score” (Don’t write this in your exams. This is just to help you remember)
| Reactivity to light | Pupil Reactivity Score |
|---|---|
| Both pupils are reactive | 0 |
| Only one pupil is reactive | 1 |
| Neither pupil is reactive | 2 |
GCS-P Score
Glasgow Coma Scale Pupils Score is given as:
GCS-P = GCS – PRS
The GCS-P is calculated by subtracting the Pupil Reactivity Score (PRS) from the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) total score.
Revised Trauma Score
- It has three components:
- Glasgow coma scale
- Systolic Blood Pressure
- Respiratory rate
- It is used at the triage center.
- A lower score means higher severity
qSOFA Score
Quick sequential organ failure assessment (qSOFA) score
| Component of qSOFA score | Score |
|---|---|
| Respiratory rate > 22/min | 1 |
| Altered mental status (GCS<15) | 1 |
| Systolic BP < 100mmHg | 1 |
The qSOFA score (also known as quickSOFA) is a bedside prompt that may identify patients with suspected infection who are at greater risk for a poor outcome outside the intensive care unit (ICU).
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